sal stewart said he is definitely open to a long-term contract with the Cincinnati Reds, a direct declaration that puts one rookie at the center of the club’s extension conversations (confirmed). The Reds enter those talks with just four players under contract beyond the 2026 season, creating a narrow window for the franchise to convert young talent into longer commitments (confirmed).
Sal Stewart Interview With Wittenmyer
In a conversation with Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Gordon Wittenmyer, Sal Stewart said, "I know I have a value, and I understand that, but I also understand the value of being comfortable and wanting to lead a franchise," and followed with, "Cincinnati’s been great to me. I’m definitely open to it." Those direct remarks make Stewart an available candidate for negotiation in the club’s broader efforts to secure the young core (confirmed).
Nick Krall and Reds' Targets
Nick Krall, president of baseball operations, said the Reds have yet to find common ground with any of their potential long-term targets (confirmed). Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain have rebuffed Cincinnati's efforts at a long-term extension, leaving the club to restart talks or shift focus to other players (confirmed). Hunter Greene, meanwhile, signed a six-year, $53 million deal in 2023 and remains the only young-core player to have agreed to a long-term contract apart from these negotiations (confirmed).
Hunter Greene and Ke'Bryan Hayes
Hunter Greene, Jose Trevino, Emilio Pagán and Ke'Bryan Hayes are the four players under contract beyond the 2026 season (confirmed). Hunter Greene signed a six-year, $53 million contract in 2023 (confirmed). Jose Trevino signed a two-year contract extension before the Reds left Goodyear last spring (confirmed). Emilio Pagán signed a two-year deal this past winter (confirmed). Ke'Bryan Hayes became under contract through the 2029 season after the Reds traded for him last July (confirmed).
With Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain having rebuffed offers and Sal Stewart declaring he is open to a long-term commitment, the immediate question facing the Cincinnati Reds is whether the club can find common ground with any member of its young core to translate openness into signed extensions (confirmed).
