The Baltimore Orioles signed catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year, $67 million contract, making them the most recent team to take a risk by securing a top prospect to a long-term agreement. Superstars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Jackson Merrill are playing on team-friendly contracts, while Baltimore’s AL East opponents, Boston, signed similar contracts with a number of their young players, including Roman Anthony.
It will be time for the Reds to follow suit when Sal Stewart makes his ostensibly imminent MLB debut. When Adley Rutschman was placed on the injured list this week, Basallo took over the primary catching responsibilities, and Stewart will essentially take over that role. When Rutschman returns (unless he is moved), Basallo will be able to continue in the lineup because of his positional versatility, which allows him to play first and have the bat to serve effectively at DH.
Stewart, who mostly played third base in prior seasons but added second base to his repertoire last season, will do a similar dance with Matt McLain and Ke’Bryan Hayes.
The Reds should take a cue from the Samuel Basallo deal and extend top prospect Sal Stewart
Stewart and Basallo are regarded as middle-of-the-order batsmen with considerable power potential and sophisticated bat-to-ball abilities. Because he can play catcher, Basallo probably has a little more worth than Stewart, but given McLain’s poor season and Hayes’ offensive shortcomings, Stewart could be more useful to his present squad. Imagine Stewart laying the groundwork for Elly De La Cruz while putting up a.375 on-base percentage.
What would a long-term agreement for Stewart entail, then? Earlier this season, 22-year-old Red Sox second baseman Kristian Campbell signed an eight-year, $60 million contract deal. Stewart, 21, who hasn’t yet made it to the major leagues, could be able to get a similar-length contract.
Although they are uncommon, deals with players who have not yet made their debut are not unheard of. Both Jackson Chourio and Colt Keith made club commitments prior to wearing their major league uniforms. I don’t support the Reds taking that approach with Stewart. The Reds could be a little gunshy because he hasn’t shown himself as a second baseman and other prospects are struggling (like McLain’s fall). However, keeping costs low and securing another young player might position the team for long-term success.
