"Just from the talks that I've had with the guys in control of all those things, I feel like they want me here. I feel like, just from what I've been told, they want me here for the long term," Gennett told MLB.com on Friday. "What I'm getting is [CEO Bob Castellini] wants me here for a while. When it comes to all of the trade stuff, it would be going against what I've been hearing."
Gennett, a Lebanon native, is having his second straight great season with the Reds.
This one earned him a trip to the All-Star Game.
He has become both a fan favorite and a potentially valuable trade chip along the way, and Reds general manager Nick Krall was noncommittal in the same story from MLB.com
"If there is something out there that makes your club better going into the future and long haul, you have to explore every possibility. With that said, he's been one of the most productive players in the National League over the last year-and-a-half. We'd like him as part of this club. We think he's a valuable part of this club."
On Sunday, national baseball reporter Ken Rosenthal reported the Reds have had “minimal talks” about a contract extension.
#Reds have had minimal talks with 2B Scooter Gennett on a contract extension, sources tell The Athletic. Gennett, under club control through next season, has made it clear he wants to stay in Cincinnati. But nothing will stand in way of a trade if that is what Reds decide to do.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 15, 2018
As a native of Southwest Ohio, he has called getting to wear a Reds uniform a dream come true and said he would like to be in Cincinnati for a long time.
However, the general assumption has been he (and others) would likely be traded as the team continues to add assets to build for the future.
RELATED: Gennett’s homecoming a bright spot for Reds
The team also will need to make room for top prospect Nick Senzel at some point, though not until next spring because he is out for the rest of the season after tearing a finger ligament.
Senzel can play multiple positions, and the possibility of moving Gennett to the outfield was floated earlier this season.
Making a long-term commitment to Gennett would certainly be a signal to fans the Reds believe they are done rebuilding after languishing in last place for most of the last four years.
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