Reds fans may be missing the bigger message behind Andrew Abbott's Opening Day nod

Andrew Abbott will be the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starter this season, and it's an honor the left-hander isn't taking lightly.

"I think it's awesome. I don't take anything for granted. I'm honored to represent Cincinnati on that day. Being there, and seeing how big of a holiday (it is), and how big it's celebrated. It's great," Abbott said while attending a NASCAR event earlier this week. "I'm excited to take the ball and give it my all."

Abbott has been embraced by the Cincinnati faithful, and is one of the best starting pitchers in the game. He's still pre-arbitration eligible this season, and won't reach his arbitration window until next winter, but that shouldn't stop the Reds from making it a priority to sign him to long-term deal before his start on March 26. His Opening Day nod could be a sign that the Reds are working on something behind the scenes.

The Reds must extend Andrew Abbott before it's too late

It's extension season throughout Major League Baseball, and while no deals have been announced just yet, this is the time of year when agents and front office executives are hard at work trying to work out long-term deals. Most Reds fans have Abbott at the top of their wishlist.

During his two-plus seasons with the Reds, Abbott is 28-23 with a 3.42 ERA and 383 career strikeouts over 413⅓ innings pitched. Abbott's has struggled with some minor injury setbacks throughout his Reds career, but has still managed to start 20 or more games in each of his three seasons. Over his last two seasons combined, Abbott has posted a 3.25 ERA and 138 ERA+.

Cincinnati has done a poor job of locking up their young talent. The front office was a day late and millions of dollars short with their contract proposal to Elly De La Cruz last year. Matt McLain also rejected the team's efforts to extend him to a long-term deal.

Abbott doesn't have an electric arm like Chase Burns or Hunter Greene, but he's still able to get opposing batters out. His lack of velocity should help alleviate concerns of long-term injury, something that can be prevalent among fireballers due to increased stress on the elbow and shoulder.

Abbott also matches the embodiment of what Reds fans look for in their stars. He's a low-key, humble person who lets his play on the field do the talking. The southpaw is a grinder with a bulldog mentality who's been compared to Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine in the past.

The Reds handed Abbott the honor of being the team's Opening Day starter this season, now it's time for organization to solidify their commitment by extending him a long-term deal. Greene received the nod from the Reds on Opening Day in 2023, and was handed a six-year contract extension a few weeks later. Perhaps Abbott will receive the same treatment sometime later this spring.