After his spectacular past year and a half in which he has hit a total of 54 home runs and driven in 137 runs, Todd Frazier could reasonably be called baseball’s biggest rising star. Add his thrilling Home Run Derby victory in front of his home fans during the All-Star Break and his star power is quickly rising.

Due to all these factors, the Cincinnati Reds would love to sign their third baseman to an extension beyond 2018, when he will become a free agent. However, their current financial situation may prevent them from being able to sign him to an extension.

Cincinnati has long-term commitments to Joey Votto, who is owed $192 million over the next eight seasons (with a $20 million option with $7 million team buyout for the ninth season) and Homer Bailey, who is owed $81 million over the next four years (with a $25 million mutual option with $5 million team buyout for the fifth season).

These contracts are a big reason why the Reds are being forced to trade Johnny Cueto this trade deadline; the team knows they can’t afford to re-sign him this offseason. Now, Frazier might become a casualty of these bad contracts as well.

Based on his recent performance, it’s likely Frazier could get a seven-year deal in the $100 million range. The Reds likely can’t afford that. Rather than wait for another couple seasons, the Reds might as well trade him now while they’re trading every other valuable trade chip.

By dealing Frazier now, the Reds could jumpstart their rebuild early. He is at his highest value and would command a huge package of prospects given the fact he’s still under team control beyond this season and appears to be on his way up.

A move wouldn’t be popular in the court of public opinion as Frazier is a fan favorite in Cincinnati, but the Reds need to make smart baseball moves. Fans are going to be mad whether the team trades him now or in two seasons.

If in five years Frazier is in fact playing for another team, the Reds’ front office won’t be able to help kicking themselves over signing Votto and Bailey to inflated contracts while watching their former star hitting home runs in a different uniform.

Should they get the large prospect load they could receive for him now, it would ease the pain.