Scooter Gennett explains why he would like to sign a long-term contract with the Cincinnati Reds

Bobby Nightengale | Cincinnati Enquirer

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Before the start of this season, Scooter Gennett approached the Reds with interest in securing a long-term contract.

The Reds declined, Gennett says, because he was fresh off a career season and the front office wanted to see him repeat his success.

He's certainly done that.

“They were like, ‘OK, he had a great year. Let’s see if he can do it again,’ ” Gennett said. “We had a talk in Spring Training and basically I understood why. It makes complete sense. This year, I think I’ve kind of proved to them that last year wasn’t really a fluke, that I can do that on a consistent basis.”

Entering Saturday, Gennett ranked seventh in the Major Leagues with a .313 batting average. Solidified as an everyday second baseman, he’s hit 17 homers and 68 RBI in 112 games with 67 runs scored.

A free agent following the 2019 season, Gennett said talks about an extension haven’t started but he doesn’t want to give updates on the status of negotiations.

“I just want the best for this team and the best for this organization moving forward in the near future,” Gennett said. “For me, it’s something that I would like when it comes to an extension, but at the same time, I understand they have other stuff they need to take care of and worry about.

“I just feel like we’re kind of reaching that point where we’re going to start having talks. But like I said, when we do, I’m not going to be sharing that information.”

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Whether the Reds should sign Gennett, 28, to a long-term extension is constantly debated on social media. He’s proven he can hit, but he plays the same position as injured top prospect Nick Senzel.

Gennett felt confident that he was going to remain with the team following the Major League’s non-waiver Trade Deadline, but of course, he would like to sign his name on a long-term deal.

“I felt like the fans liked me here,” Gennett said. “I like being here. When I was hearing from guys that do make those type of decisions, I felt like they wanted me here. I wasn’t too worried about it leading up to the deadline, but I understood that anything could happen.”

Gennett will be eligible for his third year of arbitration this offseason, which could bump his salary above $9 million. It’s likely another incentive to determine whether Gennett receives a new contract.

“They are in charge of 180-200 guys that they are trying to make decisions on... probably a few of those players whether they are getting traded or whether they want them in this organization for a while,” Gennett said of the front office. “Obviously, I know that. I know that it’s not they are going to focus on me and me only. I’m not expecting that. I don’t want that.”

Gennett, who grew up in nearby Lebanon, was a fan favorite during his time with Milwaukee Brewers. He was placed on waivers at the end of Spring Training last year when his salary was more than the Brewers wanted to spend for his role as a backup infielder.

What’s helped him become a fan favorite?

“I think real baseball fans, they want to see effort,” Gennett said. “That’s something that I think I’ve always done is just give it 100 percent. That’s the only thing that I feel like we can control is our effort. I’ve never really had the issue of not giving it 100 percent. I feel like real baseball fans, they recognize that and they like that.

“Maybe they can relate to me a little bit. I’m an average-sized human being, below average in our sport and many other sports in the world. Maybe they can relate a little bit. I don’t know. It’s definitely something I feel very fortunate that people do cheer for me and like me.”