Reds should heed Nick Castellanos' advice and sign Jonathan India to a contract extension

While the Cincinnati Reds may not re-sign outfielder Nick Castellanos, they'd be wise to heed his advice and sign Jonathan India to an extension.

Castellanos, via Adam Baum of the Cincinnati Enquirer, spoke last week about the Reds need to ink Jonathan India to a long-term contract.

The Reds should sign Jonathan India to a contract extension.

Nick Castellanos, who's very aware of how the Cincinnati front office conducts business, said that the Reds would be best served to act quickly and extend India before he becomes too expensive.

While a lot of fans may scoff at the idea of signing India to an extension while he's still pre-arbitration eligible, this is not a foreign concept.

Before even playing a game for the White Sox, the Chicago front office signed Eloy Jimenez to a six-year/$43M contract, effectively buying out his arbitration years.

There are rumors swirling right now that the Tampa Bay Rays are looking to sign superstar rookie Wander Franco to a long-term contract.

Most outlets are reporting that Tampa Bay's offer to Franco is likely 10 years in length and between $150M-$200M.

Ronald Acuña Jr. signed an eight-year/$100M contract extension with the Atlanta Braves before recording a full year of MLB service time.

While unconventional, extending Jonathan India may be in Cincinnati's best interest. The same could be said for Tyler Stephenson.

The Reds ownership has shown an unwillingness in the past to cough up what it takes in order to retain top-level talent.

That said, Cincinnati did sign Joey Votto to a record contract; one that will pay the six-time All-Star $50M over the next two seasons.

The Reds also inked former outfielder Jay Bruce a six-year/$51M contract in 2010 and current third baseman Eugenio Suárez signed a six-year/$66M contract in 2018.

Signing the reigning Rookie of the Year is not without risk, as India could suffer a sophomore slump or battle a tough, nagging injury.

The Cincinnati Reds, however, would be wise to at least begin negotiations with India on a possible contract extension.

If Jonathan India puts up similar numbers next season to what we saw in 2021, he'll quickly do what Nick Castellanos alluded to an become too expensive for the Reds to keep.