Former SF Giants prospect Bryan Reynolds agrees to lengthy extension with Pirates

Former SF Giants prospect Bryan Reynolds has turned into one of the best outfielders in MLB with the Pirates, and he won’t be playing elsewhere anytime soon.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to an seven-year, $100 million contract extension with outfielder Bryan Reynolds, according to a report by FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray. While Murray lists the deal as an eight-year, $106.75 million extension, he is including Reynolds' previously agreed upon $6.75 million salary this season in that calculation. Reynolds has been one of the best outfielders in MLB over the past few seasons. He was originally drafted by the SF Giants, but was traded to the Pirates alongside Kyle Crick while he was still in the minor leagues for outfielder Andrew McCutchen.

Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds hits a sacrifice fly against the Cardinals. (2023) / Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

According to Murray, the deal includes a $2 million signing bonus and will pay him $10 million in 2024, $12 million in 2025, $14 million in 2026, and $15 million a year from 2027-2030. The contract also includes some no-trade protection for Reynolds and a club option for 2031. Reynolds would receive a $20 million salary if the option is exercised, and will otherwise receive a $2 million buyout.

Reynolds was the Giants' top selection in the 2016 MLB Draft, although he was a second-round pick. Reynolds had an excellent approach with plus power potential, but concerns about his strikeout rate led him to fall. After a pair of solid minor league seasons at Single-A and High-A, the Giants used Reynolds for more immediate big-league help. While McCutchen was solid with San Francisco, and eventually netted the Giants a pair of prospects in a seperate trade with the Yankees, the Giants were well out of contention.

Reynolds continued on his upward trajectory with the Pirates before unlocking his power in 2019. After never posting a slugging percentage above .484 in the minors, he demolished Triple-A pitching in 13 games, hitting .367/.446/.735 and was quickly promoted to Pittsburgh's big-league roster. He immediately proved he was ready for the majors, finishing the season with a .314/.377/.503 triple-slash in 546 plate appearances.

The Baltimore, Maryland native slumped during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but has returned to form since. In more than 2,000 big-league plate appearances, Reynolds has hit .282/.359/.484 with 102 doubles, 19 triples, and 79 home runs. He has also been selected to one All-Star game.

Reynolds had requested a trade during the offseason, and given Pittsburgh's struggles in recent years, there was growing speculation that he would be traded to a contender in the coming months. Given the Giants search for a star, there was understandable speculation that San Francisco would look to bring Reynolds back to his first professional organization.

However, Reynolds' extension will clearly delay any potential blockbuster trade for at least a few years. Furthermore, the Pirates have gotten off to a hot start this season and currently lead the National League Central with a 16-7 record.

Bryan Reynolds has easily been the best position player the SF Giants have drafted since at least 2009. There's a world in which Reynolds is the face of the franchise and playing every day in San Francisco's outfield. Instead, he will be starring with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the foreseeable future assuming his tentative extension is finalized.