The Reds floated a preliminary extension framework to Matt McLain before Opening Day, reports Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Talks didn’t get far, as the 25-year-old infielder told Wittenmyer that the numbers “just didn’t line up” with what his camp was seeking.
McLain missed all of last season recovering from shoulder surgery. The former first-round pick tore the labrum and damaged cartilage in his left (non-throwing) shoulder during Spring Training 2024. He was targeting an August return but suffered a stress reaction in his ribcage a week before he would have begun a minor league rehab stint. Cincinnati decided it wasn’t worth pushing him to get back in September, as it had become clear they weren’t going to make the playoffs.
It was an unfortunate follow-up after McLain’s strong rookie season. The righty-hitting infielder finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year balloting back in 2023. He hit .290/.357/.507 with 16 homers and 14 steals across 403 plate appearances. He’s a potential All-Star second baseman if healthy. Last year’s injury could have made it difficult to align on an extension, though. It adds some risk to the long-term profile, but McLain presumably would not want to feel like he’s negotiating at a low point in his value. He told Wittenmyer there are no conversations ongoing while pointing out that he didn’t play last season.
There’s plenty of time for the teams to reengage down the line. McLain has yet to reach two years of service time. He should qualify for early arbitration as a Super Two player next offseason. He’ll go through the arbitration process four times and is not slated to hit free agency until the 2029-30 offseason. McLain is on track to get to free agency in advance of his age-30 season. He has connected on three homers in the early going this season, though he has also punched out in 11 of his 30 trips to the plate.
The Reds did get one extension done this spring, retaining backup catcher Jose Trevino on a two-year deal with $11MM in new money. General manager Brad Meador tells Wittenmyer the team has had “very preliminary and early” extension conversations with a number of players. It doesn’t seem anything has gotten close. Extensions are most common during Spring Training, but a lot of those discussions have carried beyond Opening Day around the league. Brandon Pfaadt, Garrett Crochet, Jackson Merrill, Kristian Campbell and Ketel Marte have all signed extensions within the past eight days.
His camp is Scott Boras. I’m sure it didn’t line up to the $400m Boras was seeking lol.
Unfortunately any client of Bora$ is lost to a small market team
He changed agents before the season started and is now represented by Vayner Baseball.
Per Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.
Cincyfan85;
He had a great rookie year It’s not his fault he was injured last year (and the cheap Reds paid his medical bills as well as his salary).
So while clearly the man is worth $3o0 million-plus on an extended contract, he might be willing to settle for $250 million….but those darn cheap Reds.
Dude is an idiot. He missed all of last year and only played one season. He should take the gaurenteed money and shut his mouth. What a fool. If he was as good as Bobby Witt or Gunner Henderson I’d understand but hes not even close
It’s his career. If he wants to gamble and bet on himself, good luck. Personally, most of us would take the guaranteed fortune, but it’s also reasonable to look at the pot of gold at the end of rainbow that is free agency and think it’s worth it.
You have no idea what he was offerd if anything..nowhere in this artivle does. It say he was actually offerd a cent..so what guarantee exactly??
@poolhall
Isn’t that what this site is for? A place where people who don’t know jack spout off with great certainty.
It is early in the season, but based on what I have seen thus far, I would be reluctant to offer any of the position players a high value, long term contract. They haven’t shown they can consistently handle ML pitching. I would let them all play out their contracts and concentrate on drafting and trading with great precision. They need to draft more quality position players in the immediate future and concentrate on developing them. Let’s hope the hitting drought is short term. If not, the team is in trouble..
Alan Horn,
“They need to draft more quality position players…”
Are you saying they haven’t been trying to draft the best quality players available? First of all, teams don’t draft by position or need. They draft, who in their analysis, is the best overall player, whether that’s a pitcher, or position player.
It’s easy to say teams need to draft better, but it’s not that easy. The draft is mostly just a crapshoot. You don’t think the Phillies and Astros did all the research, and due diligence before drafting guys like Moniak, Appel, and Aiken 1/1?
If McLain turns in to a perennial AS, he’s gone when he reaches free-agency. The only way a team like the Reds retains talent like McLain is to extend them early in their careers.
If he has a down year I’m sure he’ll change his mind.
…..and so will the Reds
It’s the Reds. They probably offered 12/$30M hoping the injuries scared him stupid. Guess they didn’t. 🤣🤣🤣
The emojis make an unfunny joke somehow less funny.
Wait you can post emojis now?? Rumors never allowed it
I think the Reds need to increase their offer, and make it happen. It’s the only way small market teams can compete against the mega-deals of the big spenders. I’d bet it will pay off. McLain looked very impressive in the little that I saw of him.
He’s the best SS on the team..
Slider33, That doesn’t surprise me.
Truth
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Yeah, his camp clearly saw through the Reds attempt to lowball him an offer due to his injury.