Matt McLain has honest assessment about Reds future after injuries derailed 2024

The idea of the Cincinnati Reds and Matt McLain reaching a long-term contract extension this offseason is certainly appealing. It's a risky venture for both sides, but it also has it's benefits.

For the Reds, they could secure a player of McLain's talents for what would amount to pennies on the dollar with hopes of him putting up All-Star numbers. The downside for the team, is that given McLain's injury history, you could get stuck with a lemon.

For McLain, the opportunity to sign a long-term deal coming off a serious injury would enable the former first-round pick to have financial security despite some injury-plagued seasons. However, in doing so, he'd be selling himself short and agreeing to a contract that's far less lucrative than it could be if he stays healthy.

Matt McLain has honest assessment about Reds future after injuries derailed 2024

But McLain doesn't see himself agreeing to a long-term contract with the Reds this offseason. McLain took a break from playing in the Arizona Fall League and made an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast. The Reds infielder was asked if Cincinnati approached him about a contract extension this offseason. His response was short and to the point. McLain said, "No, they have not. No."

The crew expounded on the question by asking if he'd want the Reds to offer a contract extension given that he's returning from injury. The Reds star infielder said, "I mean personally, right now, I don't think it would make sense for either side." McLain acknowledged that such a deal would be less than he'd prefer to sign for and suggested that it really wouldn't make sense for the Reds to take the risk.

But neither side really needs to discuss a long-term deal at the moment. McLain is still pre-arbitration eligible and is under team control through the 2029 season. So while Reds fans love the idea of having some of their young stars locked up for the long haul, McLain and Elly De La Cruz don't enter free agency for another five seasons.

Quite honestly, if the Reds are thinking about offering a contract extension to any of their core players this offseason, inking Tyler Stephenson to a long-term deal might be a good place to start. Stephenson has just two more seasons of team control before reaching the open market.

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