DENVER — A finalized contract for Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns was not made official with an announcement by the club on Friday, but his teammates certainly took notice of the seven-year, $105 million deal that was agreed upon on Thursday.
One teammate who was elated for the 2026 All-Star Burns was a fellow starting pitcher — and a possible extension candidate — in 2025 All-Star Andrew Abbott.
“I was blown away," Abbott said. "I texted him the minute I saw it pop up. ... I said, ‘Congratulations, well deserved. Now you go. There’s no holding back. You’re getting the money, you know where you’re going to be for the next [seven years]. Let’s go make it happen.’
"That’s always who he’s been as a competitor. As a teammate, he’s had your back. It’s a proud thing to see that happen to somebody that’s so young with such a blessed arm and then he’s going out and doing it every five or six days.”
Could Abbott be the next in line to get his own long-term contract with Cincinnati?
“I’ve always been open to it. I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation with them, but that definitely gives you a good feeling about opportunities," Abbott said.
Abbott, 27, had his breakout season in 2025 while going 10-7 with a 2.87 ERA in 29 starts. The left-hander has a 4.11 ERA through 20 starts this season, but has a 3.18 ERA over his last 14 starts after opening the season 0-2 with a 6.59 ERA in his first six games.
Locking up younger players with club control left has been trendy around Major League Baseball, especially this season. The Reds have several who could potentially get such a deal, like first baseman Sal Stewart or starter Rhett Lowder. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz would seem less likely because his agent, Scott Boras, rarely negotiates extensions for players before they get to free agency.
Abbott, who is represented by CAA Sports, is making $800,000 this season and is under club control through 2029.
"I love Cincinnati but at the end of the day, it’s a business," Abbott said. "You don’t let that kind of get in your head. You just keep throwing. You’re happy for [Burns] and you celebrate him as a teammate, but your job doesn’t change. You still take the ball and go build a resume.”
Stewart enjoyed his All-Star experience
Like Burns, Stewart was a first-time All-Star in Philadelphia and spent his time taking it all in.
“It was great. It was something that I definitely will never forget," Stewart said on Friday. "Experiencing it with my family, it was awesome. I’m super happy I was able to experience that and I’m blessed. I learned a lot, which was something that I really wanted to do going into it. That’ll be something I can use for the rest of my career.”
Stewart noted he spent a lot of his time watching the veteran players and how they went about their business and routines. But he did make a point to check in with Dodgers manager and National League skipper Dave Roberts while he was in a coaches meeting with Phillies manager Don Mattingly and Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.
“I just went in there, and he’s been around the game a while," Stewart said. "We just sat down and honestly, we just talked shop. I learned a lot. I picked his brain, picked Don Mattingly’s brain. He’s been in the game forever, Oli as well.”