Reds get massive $160 million contract projection on Sal Stewart amid breakout

Reds get massive $160 million contract projection on Sal Stewart amid breakout originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Reds have some of the best young talent in their lineup across all of Major League Baseball. While Elly De La Cruz has stolen the show in recent years, newcomer Sal Stewart might be the best player on the team this year.

He's breaking out massively this season, and in his rookie year, he's likely the frontrunner for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Amid such a season, the Reds should seriously consider signing him to a long-term deal before it gets too expensive.

According to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, Stewart received a new contract projection that's for an incredible $160 million total over eight years. It's a big deal, but one that would be worth it to keep Stewart in Cincinnati.

Reds receive $160M projection on Sal Stewart

"Approximate market value: eight years, $160 million," Bowden writes. "Stewart has been the best rookie in the National League to start the year. ... He's special."

With Kevin McGonigle and Konnor Griffin receiving massive extensions during their rookie seasons, a big deal for Stewart would not be a major surprise.

But, it would be noteworthy in the sense that those two rookies are middle-infielders, whereas Stewart is a first baseman. The value is different, but even with the positional value in mind, Stewart is worth such a big deal.

Through 28 games this season, Stewart has nine home runs, 29 RBIs (leads MLB), 30 hits, 18 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 17 walks, a .291 batting average, and a .987 OPS with a 166 OPS+.