Even with three games already in the books on the Pirates’ 2023 season, Bryan Reynolds’ contract status is still the biggest story in Pittsburgh baseball, given the reports from earlier this week suggesting the two sides had made a lot of progress towards an extension. The deal in question appears to be an eight-year, $106MM pact, yet the sticking point appears to be the Pirates’ reluctance to include an opt-out clause for Reynolds following the 2026 season.
It isn’t clear if anything has changed in talks, as Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter links) hears from both sides that, essentially, they “haven’t heard anything” about any further progress. Mackey notes that GM Ben Cherington didn’t mention anything about Reynolds or the contract talks during his weekly radio show today, though naturally it would’ve been a little surprising to hear an executive make any significant public comment on contract negotiations that (apparently) are still ongoing. Opening Day was reportedly viewed as a deadline to get an extension finalized, and while that deadline was completely unofficial, it begs the question or whether or not Reynolds and the Bucs can solve the impasse soon or if the matter might be tabled until the offseason…..or, if Reynolds might be traded elsewhere before the deadline.
More NL Central items….
- Devin Williams was hit in the arm by a Dansby Swanson line drive during the ninth inning of yesterday’s game, though Williams remained on the mound to close out the Brewers’ 3-1 win over the Cubs. Williams told MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and other reporters that the liner “glanced off” his right elbow and “it didn’t feel too good,” leading to a bit of lingering soreness today. While the injury doesn’t appear to be serious, Williams and manager Craig Counsell said that the reliever’s availability for today’s game wouldn’t be known until Williams did some pregame warmups. [UPDATE: Williams didn’t pitch in Milwaukee’s 9-5 win over Chicago, but Counsell said the reliever was available if called upon.]
- Nick Senzel and Tony Santillan are slated to begin rehab assignments at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Reds manager David Bell told reporters (including Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer). Both were hampered by injuries that pushed back their Spring Training work, as Senzel underwent toe surgery during the offseason and Santillan was still recovering from a lower back issue that plagued him during the 2022 campaign. Barring any setbacks, however, Senzel and Santillan appear to be on pace to join the Reds by around the middle of April, with Senzel perhaps moving into a utility role and Santillan stepping back into Cincinnati’s bullpen.
I don’t see the downside on Pittsburgh’s part in giving an opt out.
Just at a glance, I suppose they’d be more willing if it were later in the contract. As is, from a team perspective, why not just continue on with Arb through ’26?
Well, thinking more upon it, if signed to said contract with an Opt Out, it definitely lowers his trade value. (Reminiscent of the Arenado situation- will he or won’the Opt Out if traded for?)
That gives them a 1 year extension and puts them on the hook for 3 more years no matter what. I don’t see the upside for Pittsburg. He’s theirs until the end of 2025 without a pesky no trade clause in his contract.
learn how to spell
Pittsburgh has an H
Thank you for helping make the world a better place today.
I keep trying to remind these guys that this pet peeve isn’t that big of a deal. After all, we lived through a few years of Leveon Bell constantly saying he played for the “Pissburgh Steelers”
Yeah. Seriously.
Being a Yinzer I’m proud of my city and feel the need to correct someone’s ignorance about how to properly spell Pittsburgh
It’s pissburgh
Naw. Just the smell you carry around
Opt out is fine if its 2027 preferably 2028 or later. Probably settle on 28. Pirates only wanted him 6 years to begin with. Guarantee of 106m needs to get you more than 1 extra year. I don’t see Pirates giving in and will trash them if they do. Early opt outs are awful for a team. They will just use him and trade him. Guy demanded a trade yet they still offered him over 100m. They won the PR battle and Bob won’t mind keeping the 106m. Reynolds will either move on opt out or take his chances. I think he will cave.
Wrong. Reynolds is asking for something no player in his position has ever received. Pirates are right to demand he reciprocate Pirates willingness to commit to him, by committing to Pirates.
Not after year 4, no. If he wanted it after his 2nd or 3rd year I wouldn’t blame them.
just because nothing is being reported, doesn’t mean negotiations aren’t ongoing
It could be that they are waiting for the team to return for their home opener to make an announcement
Honestly if I were then I’d just try to change the year of the opt out. Just give the opt out for 2027 or 2028.
Heck of a negotiating tactic. I like it.
The biggest story of the season so far for the Pirates is the fact they are struggling to hit the ball. Against the Reds. The Reynolds saga is getting way overblown.
3 games doesn’t define a season
Those three guys the Reds ran out there will silence a lot of bats in the future, as will Diaz at the end.
It’s the in between and the back end of the rotation that folks will get to.
I really enjoy this site, the writers, their articles and subsequent commenters
But it’s apparent that we are going to see a blurb about Reynolds every day through October. Don’s right. It’s beyond overblown
I always thought of Reynolds as good not great elite. Semi star. After all these trade and extension offers I consider him a superstar. If you follow mlb you know this guy.
SuperStar i would say is over estimating him at this point unless he really picks it up. Multi year all-star seems likely. possible mvp candidate if he is a big bat on a play off team.
Here a question does have B Reynolds on the Pittsburgh Pirates get them closer to 500 team or not
Granted you need more then one player to make you a winning team.
But what If you trade him and he gets you a couple of good prospects.In return.
And yes I know Pittsburgh Pirates fans are get tired of rebuilding every year.
I’m in agreement. They need more higher level players. Unless they are willing to trade for, or sign high quality free agents, he needs to be moved for assets. Great player, yes, star player, no.
You do need a team star player to cheer for and put butts in the seats. They’re a better team with Reynolds. If they do trade him, the Pirates need to make sure they’re getting at least one high-ceiling ML-ready player in return and not lottery tickets in quantity.
We went through a number of years when there was no one even recognizable on the roster. The late 90’s come to mind.
And hey, we have pierogi races and fireworks nights to go with the beautiful view
They are just the same or better with prospects and 106m. Offering one of your players a fair contract though is a good thing and probably needs to be done.
Reynolds isn’t elite. But he’s in the next tier of player. Pirates will be a playoff team when Cruz, or Endy, or Davis, or Termar Johnson or Dylan Crews is the Alpha dog of the lineup. He’s probably a bit better than Starling Marte was as a Pirate, but he’s definitely not Andrew McCutchen kind of good.
Yes, much closer. Who knows if the prospects will turn out any good. Sure they can make a trade and pick up a Reynolds, Cruz, or Contreras, or they can also get guys who never make it out of AAA. For having a “great” farm system, it doesn’t look all that amazing. Reynolds is the only player on the team who hits for average and power, they need at least 2-3 more of those guys.
Angels have Ohtani AND Trout and still stink.
My point being – Angels have two mega stars and can’t even make the playoffs, so one star player won’t get you too far. The Pirates need to lock up Reynolds, Cruz, Keller, Bednar, and Contreras and hope that several more of their soon arriving prospects are at least solid big leaguers. Then, they might be competitive, but not a certainty.
yes, we’re tired of the perpetual rebuilding that seems to happen every other year
Trading Reynolds for high level prospects doesn’t guarantee success.
High level prospects require a strong development system, something they haven’t had in years.
Right, but I guess I would trust a cherington more than I would have trusted the old regime. He should be able to identify guys that can fit what they want to do with the team. If not, why is he even in Pittsburgh, if he can’t draft and identify quality players, they need to find someone else who can, and soon.
Make me a multi-millionaire and let me leave you when I want to. What a joke MLB has become.
How DARE labor have a bigger say in their contracts when they’re fungible and able to be traded as if they’re stocks? The GALL
The question for me is Reynolds’s a good enough player for that type of contract?
Too good of a player. 13 million a year doesn’t buy you much.
That is not an expensive contract really. I’d be fine with it even as a “cash strapped” team like the Pirates. They have to start investing into some players.
Also need to offer Cruz a ten year deal, now!
Can’t believe Senzel has negative WAR for his career. Jeez
We’ve heard about his potential ad nauseam. He just doesn’t produce on the IL or on the field. As Bill Parcells once said, “I am my record.” The last ditch hope for this kid is a change of scenery, but the Reds won’t do that because he has no value on the market.
I think Bryan and Ben will get something done. If that is the major sticking point then they can figure something out.
Make it a Triggered opt out based on team record.
Give limited no trade clause 2025 forward
Give Signing Bonus equal to his current 2023 deal (6m)
Give Significant performance bonuses post opt out year.
Add in, If traded opt-out triggered.
My opinion on what little we know.