Here We Go Again: Death, Taxes, and Bryan Reynolds Rumors

How does the saying go? Death, taxes, and Bryan Reynolds trade rumors? Well, maybe this time it isn’t trade talk, but it might as well be a precursor to one. MLB Trade Rumors came out with an article discussing Bryan Reynolds and the lack of contract extension talks with the Pirates prior to MLB’s lockout. 

While a contract extension would be a sign of good faith with Ben Cherington and the rest of the Pirates’ front office, there also have to be some talks of caution when mentioning an extension with Reynolds; why else would we be here talking about it?!

Will the Pirates break from the norm and dish out an offer more than the $60 million they gave Jason Kendall? History says no, but Cherington has said that one of the reasons he took the general manager job was he was promised a certain set of things. One of them was eventually spending more.

Signing Reynolds to an extension probably won’t bring a thumping heartbeat back to the fan base at first, but it will show some vital signs. Some questions arise though if you’re Reynolds. Do you take the money now, eliminating the risk of betting on yourself after the four years of control, or do you take the risk of performing at a high level through 2025 to get a mega-deal? 

These are all questions worth asking, and it comes down to a game of chance. Yes, Reynolds showed 2020 was a fluke, but can he maintain his 2021 season and possibly get better is the question.