Matt McLain is turning heads this spring, and it looks like he's locked in a spot in the Cincinnati Reds lineup as we head into the 2026 season. Reds manager Terry Francona has slotted McLain to bat second, right between leadoff hitter TJ Friedl and the dynamic Elly De La Cruz.
McLain's spring stats are nothing short of spectacular. He's leading the league in hits, home runs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. In just 13 Cactus League games, he's posting an eye-popping .553/.605/1.105 with six homers, 13 RBIs, and a 326 wRC+.
Now, the big question: should the Reds lock McLain down with a long-term contract extension?
After a stellar rookie season in 2023, where he hit .290/.357/.507 with 16 homers in just 89 games, McLain faced a setback with shoulder surgery in 2024, missing the entire season. His 2025 return was rocky, hitting just .220/.300/.343 with a 77 wRC+. But this spring's performance suggests he might be ready to bounce back in a big way in 2026.
The Reds and McLain flirted with the idea of a long-term deal last year, but nothing materialized. Still, there's no indication that the door is closed on those discussions. Given his talent and potential, it makes sense for the Reds to consider him a key part of their future.
However, McLain's struggles in 2025 mean any extension would likely need to reflect a belief in his ability to exceed those numbers. It’s unlikely he’d accept a deal without a significant pay bump.
So, what might a McLain extension look like? Comparable deals include Jacob Wilson's seven-year, $70 million with the Athletics, Maikel Garcia's five-year, $57.5 million with the Royals, and Geraldo Perdomo's four-year, $45 million with the Diamondbacks.
These deals average around $11 million annually. Would a five-year, $60 million deal with an AAV of $12 million be enticing enough for McLain?
This would cover his last three arbitration years and two free-agent years, giving him a hefty raise from his current salary.
Of course, there's risk involved. If McLain gets injured or underperforms, the Reds could find themselves in a financial bind. But if he hits his stride and delivers an All-Star season, he might just price himself out of Cincinnati, much like De La Cruz.
The Reds have struggled to secure their young talent beyond Hunter Greene, leaving fans in Cincinnati anxious about the team's future. If they can't lock down McLain or other promising players like Andrew Abbott or Sal Stewart, fan frustration could reach a boiling point.