Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said yesterday that he expects star Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds and club officials to resume discussions regarding a possible extension at some point soon. That Reynolds and the Pirates would resume talks is of little surprise. While the sides were around $50MM apart in previous discussions and Reynolds went as far as to request a trade back in December, since reporting to camp last week Reynolds has reiterated that he would still be interested in extending his stay in Pittsburgh, so long as a deal that’s fair for all parties is presented.
Whether Reynolds ultimately signs an extension with the Pirates or departs, either by trade or as a free agent following the 2025 season, he seems likely to find his payday somewhere. The 28-year-old outfielder has largely looked the part of an All Star-caliber player since his debut in 2019, barring the shortened 2020 campaign where Reynolds struggled thanks in large part to a deflated .231 BABIP and an anomalous uptick in strikeout rate. The 2021 season in particular was a stellar one for Reynolds, as he slashed .302/.390/.522 (good for a 141 wRC+) while playing strong defense in center field and accumulating 6.1 fWAR throughout a campaign that would ultimately see him garner down-ballot MVP votes. That could prove to be a ceiling, particularly if defensive metrics continue to sour on his glovework in center (as was the case in 2022), but the widespread trade interest in Reynolds and the Buccos’ own interest in extending him speak to the caliber of player he’s become in his four big league seasons.
More from around the NL Central…
- Sticking with the Pirates, Mackey discussed right-hander Johan Oviedo’s role ahead of the coming season, indicating it’s likely he will begin the season as a member of the starting rotation in Pittsburgh. Following his arrival in the deal that sent lefty Jose Quintana to the Cardinals at the trade deadline last season, Oviedo made seven starts for the Pirates, pitching to a 3.23 ERA that was 30% better than league average by ERA+ in 30 2/3 innings of work. While the Pirates added both Rich Hill and Vince Velazquez over the offseason, both of who seem likely to join Mitch Keller, Roansy Contreras, and JT Brubaker in the rotation this year, Mackey notes that it’s possible that Pittsburgh will opt for a six man rotation to begin the year rather than bump Oviedo or Brubaker either to Triple-A or the bullpen.
- Brewers left-hander Ethan Small is set to start the season in a relief role, manager Craig Counsell tells reporters, including Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Small, the club’s first round pick in the 2019 draft, has spent his whole career as a starter to this point, but is now being looked at as an option for the Opening Day bullpen due to Milwaukee’s depth in terms of starting options and the club’s lack of lefty bullpen options beyond Hoby Milner, particularly given the fact that Aaron Ashby is set to begin the season on the injured list. A move to relief could be helpful for Small, who faced struggles with his control last season. The lefty posted a 13% walk rate in Triple-A en route to a 4.48 ERA in 103 innings at that level while walking eight batters in his 6 1/3 big league innings during a brief MLB debut last year.
- Cubs manager David Ross spoke to reporters yesterday, including MLB.com’s Matthew Ritchie, regarding youngster Christopher Morel’s role as he heads into what will be his second season in the majors. While Morel seemed to be a potential front-runner to start at third base for the Cubs this season, Ross seems more focused on Morel’s versatility, noting he could serve as a fourth outfielder for the club behind starters Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, and Seiya Suzuki, or act as a utility player, combining his experience in the outfield with his ability to play every infield position besides first base. Chicago’s recent signing of third baseman Edwin Rios might factor into this thinking, as the lefty Rios has the potential to form an effective platoon with incumbent third baseman Patrick Wisdom, who mashed lefties to a line of .250/.336/.556 (147 wRC+) in 141 plate appearances against opposite-handed pitching last year.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Trade and sign for 6/100 or 6/110 (keep in mind that he is going to likely make 25-35 the next 3 arb seasons)
Unclemike1526
Playing for the Pirates? Nah, Can’t see it. That’s a bit much for Reynolds. And playing with Pittsburgh won’t help him much.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Thus, I said trade and sign, as in he agrees to a deal, gets dealt, and is obliged to accept the offer to complete the trade.
Unclemike1526
Yeah I think the other teams agree with me. I don’t see anybody jumping to met the Pirates Bloviated demand for his services.
TheMan 3
The demands are bloviated because he has 3 years left until free agency and Cherington will do everything in his power to sign him long term
Unclemike1526
Other than pay him what he’s worth obviously. Welcome to your future Henry Davis and Temarr Johnson. Enjoy!
PiratesFan1981
@TheMan granted what the Pirates have done this offseason isn’t much to cheer about. But the effort this year during the offseason, is the most the Pirates have done previous 2 years combined. They were weeding out Huntingtons final work (before Ben Cherington) through the course of the season. If you look at the guys that were waived/released 60% of them were guys brought in by Huntington. So, I think with the veterans added and the young guys piece their career together, the Pirates are going to surprise people this year. And I think after McCutchen signing, that raised Reynolds eyebrow. I think Reynolds extension will be either half way through this season or at the end of the season pending overall improvement by him and the young guys with a solid improvement in the W/L column. I think the black and gold train is going to be coming out by June. I see packed PNC park by August.
Dad
I think the rotation is better than most people realize.Keller is out of KC that will help him, Quintana should have been picked up by the Cardinals.Olievdo is going to be pitching off someone other than Waino’s mound which is a bit high.They finish 3rd behind Milwaukee, Cardinals take the division by 6 games
Unclemike1526
If Reynolds played for the Braves he would of been locked up by now. They would of bought out his Arb years and made him a happy player and teammate. It would actually be cheaper in the long run compared to the Pirates cheap as long as possible approach which will actually be more expensive in the long run, One solid Organization, One dysfunctional one. Which is which? Class?
Unclemike1526
And it’s way too early for ” Dad” To be hitting the Jack Daniels that hard. I’ve heard of a glass half full but his is closer to Niagra Falls. LMAO
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Keller refers to 2 different pitchers: 1 who has spent his entire career with KC and 1 who has spent his entire career with PIT. You had me wondering how I missed the Brad Keller trade as a big baseball fan.
Unclemike1526
It makes the rest of his post more understandable as it’s obvious he doesn’t even know WHO he’s talking about on his own team. Or he just makes stuff up in his head. LOL
Robertowannabe
Me thinks you are confusing Mitch Keller with Brad Keller. Mitch has always been with the Pirates. I do agree with the rest 🙂
Robertowannabe
Depends on how many of Reynolds FA years that hey are willing to pay for. He has 3 years control now and a 6 year deal only covers 3 FA years. I feel he and his agent are wanting the 3 control years and 4-5 of his FA years. This will be his only real shot at FA as he will be heading into his year 31 season after 2025.
wvpirate
Brad Keller pitches for Kansas City and Mitch Keller pitches for Pittsburgh.
foppert
That would be good to see. Good luck.
Unclemike1526
You have better odds of winning the lottery Dad. Or getting busted by dem Revenooers. Hide the still, Dads drinkin the profits again!
Turks444
An Helen is calling ball and strikes .
johncal25
If you don’t know the difference between Brad and Mitch Keller – maybe you shouldn’t be posting an opinion.
SouthernBuc
Dansby Swanson and Freddie Fetman beg to differ. Most of the extensions the Braves completed would be more applicable to Oneil Cruz and Roansy Contreras.
If we want to go back 2 or 3 years I can see the comparison, but given his great then bad (admittedly shortened season) seasons I am thinking it might have been even harder to agree on his outlook from a performance perspective which could have made an agreement even more difficult.
Rsox
MLB doesn’t do “sign and trade” deals (I’m not even sure if the NBA still does them).
Unclemike1526
The NBA most certainly does. Not a big thing in baseball due to the Arbitration system.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
There was some analyst on MLB Network saying that could be a thing. Idk about the rules, but they may be able to do an informal agreement. I don’t see why the commissioner would veto it. I think it was JP Morosi, and the topic may have been exactly Bryan Reynolds and Texas.
Unclemike1526
Ranger- Could happen. But Baseball’s system is designed to keep guys mostly until they’re in their late 20’s. By then you basically have 2 options. You can sign him if he’s in your long term plans or trade him if you have a younger, Cheaper option in house. See Tampa Bay. It’s why I love what the Cubs are doing because the strength of anyone’s farm system is the bottom pitching talent. Keep that going and you have trade chips to get anything you want. By a players late 20’s he mostly shown his hand. there are exceptions but that mostly plays out.
bigdaddyk
No but a team could speak to his agent and secure a new deal before the trade. I am not sure anyone would do that. Most teams will make him play out the next 3 and QO him. He only gets 20 million a year if he sticks in CF.
joew
you do mean total 25-35 over the arb seasons correct? Just making sure no one gets confused. my first thought was what the… then a second later it clicked.
Not sure if you know or not.. they pirates already bought out this seasons Arb. making 20m in arb the next two years defiantly possible. So your number still stands IMO
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Of course. I know he is in the second year of the deal, meaning he should average 10 MM the next 2 years and end up in that range. Thus, he would get in the 21.67-25 range in free agency for those 3 years at 100. I am one of the few people who would prefer a Turner-type deal that is more years but lower AAV. The high AAV foe shot deals literally just increases the risk a guy screw up on average over that shorter span. Regression isn’t that easy to predict either, and variance in performance makes it even less relevant.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Edwin Rios won’t get 6/$110 mil.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
But, Reynolds will.
Unclemike1526
Thank God there will be games starting on Saturday to watch( Cubs at least) , So the journey to find out what’s going will unfold before my very eyes. I’ll be able to see for myself. I just gave a thumbs up but you couldn’t see it.
Bobcastelliniscat
Are the Reds no longer in the NL Central or are they just not worth talking about?
Unclemike1526
The latter.
Monkey’s Uncle
Is this one of those rhetorical questions?
Steve Cohen Owns You
The Reds? They haven’t been talked about in decades.
dannycore
Yes
bdpecore
Maybe there simply wasn’t anything to report on the Reds at the time of this article. Someone is feeling a little needy today.
solaris602
Maybe for future MLBTR articles about NL Central notes, the author could start it out by saying, “By all counts the Reds are gonna suck this year. In other news……..”
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
They also didn’t really metuon the Cardinals, aside from the Jose Quintana trade.
bleedinblue 2
Name the movie:
Woman: “I didn’t lnow we still had a team.”
Man: “Yeah. We’ve got uniforms and everything. It’s really great.”
May not be exact quote. Going from memory.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
That doesn’t sound like a movie. It’s more like the Marlins’ GM speaking with the team’s real GM.
Unclemike1526
Sounds more like my mom talking to……… Well anybody.
PiratesFan1981
Major league, one of my top 3 Favs. Other ones are The Babe and Bad News Bears (Old version)
PiratesFan1981
Not Ruth, The Babe
SufferingRedsFan
incumbent third baseman Patrick Wisdom, who mashed lefties to a line of .250/.336/.556 (147 wRC+) in 141 plate appearances against opposite-handed pitching last year.
Since when is .250 “mashing”?
Unclemike1526
It is for him. The fact that he hit the ball that many times is an improvement.
kripes-brewers
Agreed. But to answer ur question, since they started to care more about the .556. Seems u can get away with about a 30% strikeout rate as long as you walk over 10%. Makes for putrid baseball, but it seems they think the younger generation likes it.
Steve Adams
Since when is a slugging percentage that’s 306 points higher than your batting average *not* mashing?
Unclemike1526
Steve- When he hits it it’s impressive. It just doesn’t happen often enough. It’s a shame because he does everything else very well. Field, Throw, Versatile, Power.
Steve Adams
The league batting average in 2022 was .243. Wisdom is a good offensive player against lefties. He doesn’t hit righties well, clearly, but that wasn’t Nick’s point in writing that he mashed lefties.
Dogbone
Lol Steve, wasn’t the one and only unclemike, lecturing yesterday, something about reading and understanding being a skill.
Just like uncleM, somehow thought minor leaguers lost 2 years of play, to Covid. I’m still waiting on the explanation. I’d say ‘counting’ is a skill, too.
Unclemike1526
Yeah the second year most of them just had camps for their players but keep being droll. It is your lifestyle after all.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
It’s nice that at least someone is man enough to stand up for OPS and wRC+ instead of this outdated metric of batting average. Give me .250/.400/.500 over .300/.350/.400 anyway of the week.
bronyaur1
Agreed. 147 wRC+ is really good, however it is acheived.
PiratesFan1981
@deGrom to be honest, “old metrics system” should be considered for DH role guys since they don’t do much of anything but hit. As for the rest of this “new system”, I agree with some and not so much with others like WAR when it comes to DH players. Each system comes with their flaws
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
WAR is stupid. It’s a solid secondary stat, but using it as a primary stat is absurd.
gbs42
Mike Schmidt batted .267 for his career with a .527 SLG and 148 OPS+. Would you say he was a “masher?”
I’m certainly not saying Wisdom is anywhere close to Schmidt overall, but his hitting against lefties last season was comparable to what Schmidt did over his career. Wisdom mashed lefties last year.
Batting average isn’t dead, but it’s on life support in terms of player evaluation, and justifiably so.
Unclemike1526
So you’re saying you’d rather watch a guy take 3 swings not close to a baseball and walk back to the bench, Than watch a guy single and steal a base? Says a ton about the way baseball is played today than in my day. Sad but probably true.
brodie-bruce
@uncle never thought i would ever agree with a cubs fan, but here we are lol, in all seriousness i agree with your point this feast or famine style of bb is very boring. i don’t care what the saber guys say a k is an unproductive out where the d doesn’t have work. putting a ball in play even the routine plays you put pressure on the d to make the play, and last i checked this game is still played by humans and no human is prefect and will bleep up from time to time
kripes-brewers
Unc, I think what these folks are missing is the context of how actually getting on base changes the whole strategy of that particular half inning. Home runs change the game quickly, but timely hits to move a guy around the bases, stolen bases and how that can remove the hit into double plays, bunting a guy into scoring position, double steals, squeeze plays. Those things amplify the inning and stress a defense/pitcher and manager. It brings the team component instead of just pitcher vs hitter. We like the nuance of the game whereas other people find it completely boring – probably because it is complex/takes a long time to even begin to understand and nobody ever explained it in a way that captured their imagination. Still a great game, just different.
gbs42
Uncle Mike, I could be wrong, but I think you’re directing your (probably rhetorical) question at me. I’m not sure because no one said what you’re claiming was said.
I grew up with 1980s baseball, and I love stolen bases, triples – lots of action on the basepaths – instead of homers, Ks, and walks. The game has gotten more efficient, but that doesn’t mean it’s more enjoyable to watch.
None of this changes the fact that Wisdom did indeed mash lefties last season.
Unclemike1526
It’s sad but if the Cardinals had Lou Brock, Willie Mcgee and Ozzie Smith today the kids would probably turn off the game and play XBox. Those were some of the most exciting teams ever to me.
gbs42
kripes, maybe get down from your high horse about your being able to appreciate the nuance and complexity of the game better than others. I’ve followed the game for over 45 years, so I’d say I understand and appreciate it pretty well. As I said in another reply, I prefer the ’80s style of play to today’s. It may be a more efficient game now, but that doesn’t make it better for the fans. I’m hoping some of this year’s rule changes nudge things back toward having more action.
gbs42
“Kids these days don’t appreciate the good old days when I was a kid.”
A phrase that’s probably been uttered for centuries.
Unclemike1526
My reply wasn’t to anybody in particular but just to the fact that you’re right kids today don’t appreciate the strategy of the game just who can hit the ball the farthest and hardest interests them. It just happened to come after your comment. My bad.
kripes-brewers
Not a high horse dude. Just calling like I see it. My job kept me from learning the game by watching them live, I learned it listening to Uecker, the way an old timer teaches people through their experience. It’s just a different perspective. There is no right or wrong, it’s supposed to be a damn game.
Unclemike1526
Lot of worse guys to learn it from than Uke.
rememberthecoop
I’ve always thought the term “mashing” to refer to slugging, not batting average.
Hammerin' Hank
Yeah, anyone who can’t see that a 556 slugging percentage qualifies as mashing is hopelessly behind the times. And the 336 OBP is solid as well, given that they’re unimpressed with his 250 average. These guys never look at context. Steve mentioned that the league average for batting average was 243. But to them a 250 hitter means the same no matter what the league batting average is. But that’s how the old-school fans minds work, only at a simple level of understanding.
mlb1225
Hope to see what Oviedo does this season. I think he can be a good starting pitcher. He deserves an extended look after ending the season on such a high note.
NicoHoerndawg
@Redsfan- The slugging % of .556 is indicative of “mashing” much more than any batting average could ever indicate. I mean you can hit .300 for a season and only have 25 extra base hits (maybe 3 home runs). A guy like Madrigal seems like that would be his ceiling. While that’s helpful for any team to have a guy who hits for average and offers little else, no one would ever call that “mashing.”
bobsugar84
Rios has an option and McKinstry does not. Unless they want to DFA him or send down Nelson Velasquez, Rios will start in Triple-A.
A .556 SLG is definitely mashing.
And for the Pirates, they should send Vince Velazquez to the bullpen if they want a five man rotation. But I know he signed being told he’d get an opportunity to start, so a six man rotation to begin the season has its merits.
Ghost of hermanfranks
Diamondbacks will take Reynolds, Tyler o neill Fernando Tatis hunter Greene, Brady Singer for Josh Rojas. Alek Thomas, Ketel Marte and Melancon.
drasco036
I’m going to be disappointed if Morel breaks camp with the Cubs, not because I don’t like Morel but I think he has more potential than a fourth outfield/utility player and needs more development in the minor leagues. Granted if he earns it out of the spring, that’s a different story.
You know who’s a utility player though? Wisdom. P-Wiz can play the corner infield and outfield slots and plays no position great.
Steve Rogers
Nick Deed, you got it wrong. The starting 3rd baseman is going to be Nicklaus M. Madrigal due to his bat. Morel will be the Cubs utility player due to him playing all outfield positions and infield minus 1st base ala Ben Zobrist. My guess means checkmate for the Cubs. Let’s play two!
rondon
Madrigal isn’t gonna be playing 3rd base. Nowhere near enough arm and no power. It’s Wisdom/Rios or bust.
drasco036
I don’t see the point in keeping Morel on the active roster and limiting his potential as a fourth outfielder/super utility player. If he crushes it this spring he deserves a look at third, if he doesn’t crush it, reassign him to AAA and allow him to further his development.
The Cubs have Wisdom who can play the corner outfield spots, 3rd and 1st. Rios can play third in the event he either earns it or Wisdom needs to move to another position. Madrigal, imo, will serve the LaStella role for the Cubs, pinch hitter, bench player, if Hoerner or Swanson needs time off, he slides into second. I can see Nicky playing third from time to time but doesn’t have the arm to play with consistency there.
baseballteam
The day Reynolds signs will be the beginning of him being a really mediocre player.
PiratesFan1981
Mediocre, like your judgement. Troll on!
baseballteam
Your punishment is that you are a Pirates fan. A franchise that will never, ever win a WS again. And you know I’m right.
PiratesFan1981
You are wrong. But continue to troll on! Us Pirates fans love the trolls!
Mendoza Line 215
Baseball team- Whether the Pirates win one or not has little to do with them.Since 1991 5 or the 8 small market teams have not even won a League championship.For the three teams and seven league championships,there has been one WS winner.
That fact has nothing to do with a particular team.
baseballteam
Small market means not many people from the area go see the games.
Mendoza Line 215
Baseballteam-What team do you root for,or are you a general team fan?
PiratesFan1981
@baseballteam you trolls are so cute and funny. Small market teams have no one who shows up to games, huh? Cleveland, Minnesota, Oakland, and others never have fans win or lose?
Do you even understand economics? Lmao at these Pirates trolls.
PiratesFan1981
@mandoza my guess is New York
Mendoza Line 215
I did not think that he would answer but give him time.
NY may be correct because they have so many fans but he may not be.
There are stupid fans from every team.
Size of metropolitan area is directly corollated to number of people = number of fans=attendees at baseball games=money to spend on the team= money to spend on players.=number of wins.
Baseball team may not have passed arithmetic in second grade.
He may not be an arrogant fan.
Just a stupid one.
PiratesFan1981
@mondozaline Maybe that resurrected Queens team. Just from watching him, he seems to be a fan of that club. It’s a reach, but if not Queens, I am thinking Philly
Mendoza Line 215
I Live near Philly.I doubt any of them.The Mets have not been good enough for long enough.Dodger fans do not get here much.Maybe this guy does not have a team or is ashamed to admit to one.In any event maybe he is smart enough to just shut up.Who knows.
Maybe trolls have migrated to the A’s,Nats,Tigers,or Reds.
Pirates fans have recently tended to be like hornets- when the nest is rattled several of us come out to sting.
JayRyder
Pirates – Sell High, before his value drops for some unforseen circumstance. I’d say he’s Gone at this year’s trade deadline. I sure would.
joew
definitely possible he will be traded. If someone meets the high asking price then it happens.
If the prospects are doing really well, ben wouldn’t want to give him up on 2024 run with out a quality replacement already in hand. If all the prospects are looking like crap then i’d be more inclined to trade bryan.extension or not.
pjmcnu
Reynolds is playing it smart. Say you’re open to a fair extension (not how PIT rolls), then get out asap. No sense getting booed while you wait to flee.