The Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Bryan Reynolds have come to terms on an eight-year, $106.75 million contract extension, the largest and only nine-figure contract in franchise history.
The deal includes a limited no-trade clause that allows Reynolds to block a trade to six teams of his choosing each year, but it does not have an opt-out. The 28-year-old requested a trade from the Pirates in December after wanting an opt-out, but according to reports the modified no-trade clause helped solidify the deal in lieu of that request.
.@Pirates, Bryan Reynolds reportedly agree on extension that runs through 2030 with a club option for 2031, per @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/Q0OmALiFQO
— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2023
The deal comes on the heels of a scorching hot start for Reynolds, who is hitting .294/.319/.553 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 22 games this season. He has helped the Pirates to the best record in the National League at 16-7 despite the loss of shortstop Oneil Cruz, who broke his leg sliding into home plate earlier this month.
The Pirates, who traditionally have been one of the cheapest teams in the majors, have now signed Reynolds and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to large contracts, with the latter’s eight-year, $70 million deal the previous largest in club history before Reynolds signed his. Currently, they are the only two Pirates to be signed beyond this season.
Leaving out a COVID-shortened 2020 season, Reynolds is hitting .293 for his career with a 135 OPS+, breaking onto the scene in 2019 when he hit .314 with 16 home runs in his first year in the majors. He had his best year in 2021, hitting .302/.390/.522 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs on his way to his only All-Star game appearance to this point. Last season, despite Pittsburgh losing 100 games, Reynolds still hit .262 with a career-high 27 home runs.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 25, 2023
Acquired in 2018 when Pittsburgh traded Andrew McCutchen to the Giants, Reynolds’ deal starts this year and includes a ninth-year team option in 2031. He was scheduled to be a free agent after the 2025 season but now, both Reynolds and McCutchen (.888 OPS) are leading the Pirates to their hot start as they look to finish above .500 for the first time since 2018.
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