Reds insider floats key extension targets but urgency is nowhere to be found

MLB.com reporter Mark Sheldon recently held a Q&A on Reddit, and one of the questions that emerged from the conversation centered around the idea of contract extensions. One fan asked, who, if any, of the Cincinnati Reds core is most likely to get a long-term extension this year? Sheldon's response was eye-opening.

According to the Reds insider, there've been no multi-year deals discussed this offseason. In the same paragraph, however, Sheldon noted that with arbitration figures being exchanged this week, that could change. He listed Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Tyler Stephenson among the most likely Reds players who could be signed to a long-term extension.

At the moment, the Reds have just four players signed to long-term deals. Emilio Pagán re-signed a two-year deal this offseason, Hunter Greene inked a contract extension just after the start of the 2023 season, and Jose Trevino agreed to a three-year pact last spring. The Reds also acquired a long-term contract after trading for Ke'Bryan Hayes last summer. But every player on the Reds 40-man roster is currently pre-arb or arbitration-eligible, or on a one-year deal.

The Reds need to sign Andrew Abbott or Nick Lodolo to a contract extension

This has caused consternation among the Reds fanbase for quite some time. While it certainly takes two to tango, one has wonder why players like Abbott, Lodolo, and others are still playing on year-to-year contracts.

Stephenson will be a free agent after this season, so if there's a top priority for the Reds, one would think it's their starting catcher. Of course, with Alfredo Duno looking like the second coming of Johnny Bench, the Reds may not want to block their top prospect by signing Stephenson to a long-term deal.

Abbott and Lodolo, however, are clear-cut cases. This offseason has already shown how expensive starting pitching can be, and the Reds should look to lock up both their left-handers on long-term contracts. If the Reds were looking to sign one of their up-and-coming young stars, they could bet big on one of Chase Burns or Sal Stewart, but that would be quite the gamble.

Reds fans are hopeful to see at least one of the team's core signed to a contract extension this spring. Though nothing is imminent at the moment, that can change quickly.