Reds just got a clear lane with Matt McLain after Athletics-Jacob Wilson extension

The Athletics continue to extend their young talent, and their latest agreement with shortstop Jacob Wilson will keep him in the organization for the next seven-plus seasons. According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the A's signed Wilson to a seven-year, $70 million deal with a team option for an eighth year.

Wilson becomes the latest in a long line of A's players who are signing up to be part of the franchise over the long haul. Designated Brent Rooker, and outfielders Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler have all signed long-term contracts with the Athletics.

Now would be a great time for the Cincinnati Reds to start making some similar moves. President of baseball operations Nick Krall revealed earlier this winter that the Reds attempted to make Elly De La Cruz the highest-paid player in team history, but the budding star turned them down.

Reds and Matt McLain may want to revisit contract talks after Jacob Wilson's deal with the Athletics

While the idea of inking De La Cruz to a long-term deal at this point in time is rather fruitless, the Reds could revisit contract talks with second baseman Matt McLain. The former first-round pick also said, "thanks, but no thanks" to a long-term deal last offseason, but perhaps he's softened his stances since then.

A side-by-side comparison of McLain and Wilson's rookie statistics are eerily similar. McLain hit .290/.357/.507 with 16 home runs, 50 RBI, and a 127 OPS+. Wilson posted a .311/.355/.444 slash line with 13 homers, 63 runs batted in, and a 121 OPS+. McLain's rookie campaign was halted after 89 games due to injury, while Wilson appeared in 125 contests.

Most of the fan reaction has been positive for the A's, with many thinking Wilson could've received more money. While the contract details have yet to be revealed, the Athletics essentially bought out his arbitration years, plus two years of free agency with a team-option for a third. The average annual value is $10 million. Considering he wouldn't have received a pay raise until after the 2027 season, this seems like a fair deal for both sides.

McLain is coming off a down-year, and just signed a contract for the 2026 season for $2.3 million. But that doesn't mean the two sides can't come together on a long-term deal — much like the A's and Wilson — that would be mutually beneficial.

The Reds were likely attempting to get McLain to sign an under-market-value deal following a season lost to surgery, and now the second baseman may be wishing he'd signed that contract after hitting just .220/.300/.343 in 2025. What might the number be now? That's anyone's guess, but something in the vicinity of Wilson's deal — though shorter-term — could be on the docket.