Reds president Nick Krall says contract-extension talks with Sal Stewart are not underway yet

Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said the organization has not started contract-extension discussions with first baseman Sal Stewart as of the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas.

Krall’s comments framed Stewart’s Rookie of the Year as a positive development that could, as a practical matter, affect how much money the Reds might have to commit to keep a young core together beyond Stewart’s near-term free-agent eligibility window.

Stewart, 22, produced a full-season offensive profile in 2026, batting.263 with a.787 OPS, 32 home runs and 112 RBIs while appearing in all 162 games. He also made 161 starts, with most of them at first base.

Defensively, the Reds highlighted Stewart’s workload across multiple spots. He made 110 first-base starts, but also started at third base (33), designated hitter (11) and second base (seven), after first-base reps were introduced late in 2025 ahead of his Sept. 1 callup.

Krall pointed to Stewart’s offseason emphasis on becoming more athletic and shedding weight as part of the improvement at first base. He also said the team sees Stewart as having the chance to be a good defender “wherever you put him,” and noted his versatility across positions.

Beyond Stewart, Krall indicated the Reds are still working through their expected 2027 budget and said the club’s focus heading into 2027 is returning to the postseason. He cited needs including more starting pitching, a catcher solution involving Tyler Stephenson or a replacement, and bullpen reinforcement.