Perrotto: Does Appearance of Smoke Mean Fire in Bryan Reynolds Talks? (+)
BRADENTON, Fla. – The news of the day didn’t seem to be very big news. At least, on the surface.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported Friday that the Pittsburgh Pirates have renewed efforts to sign outfielder Bryan Reynolds to a long-term extension before they open the season next Thursday against the Reds in Cincinnati.
However, Reynolds downplayed the idea that he was close to a deal. And Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said, “I don’t have anything new to report.”
From the sounds of it, the two sides remain at a standstill since talks broke down in December and Reynolds requested a trade. That request has become a non-issue during spring training with Reynolds saying he is not upset with the Pirates and Cherington saying he wants to keep the 28-year-old.
“I don’t have anything new to report. I would just be repeating what I said before, which is that we love Bryan Reynolds,” Cherington said. “We would like to have him here for a long time. We’ve been able to in at least one case since I’ve been here able to find agreement with a player and be able to do that.”
Cherington was referring to the Pirates signing third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to an eight-year, $70-million contract last April. Reynolds, though, is reportedly seeking an eight-year, $134-million deal.
“We want to be able to do that again with players and keep doing it,” Cherington said of long-term contracts. “So that door will remain open with players. I think right now, I don’t have anything to report, and I think most of our energy is just getting ready for the season.”
Normally, players and teams cease contract talks once the season begins. Reynolds has said he prefers it that way, but Cherington has no hard-and-fast rule against negotiating after opening day.
“We can have those conversations inside a season if everyone agrees it makes sense to,” Cherington said. “It’s not a hard policy or any sort of hardline to say, ‘opening day and never pick up the phone again.’ That’s not how we feel. We try to have the conversations outside of the season out of respect for the players and the team. Take them case by case after that.”
It should be reiterated that the Pirates are under no pressure to sign Reynolds. He is not eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season, giving the team three more years of contractual control.
Reynolds even acknowledged at the start of spring training last month that he had little leverage despite the trade request.
However, Reynolds and Cherington could be playing coy by downplaying the contract situation.
Heyman is one of the most well-connected reporters in the game. If he says the Pirates are renewing their efforts, then you can be assured there is at least some smoke.
Does that smoke mean there is some fire burning under the surface? We’ll likely find out by early Tuesday evening when the Pirates board an airplane and leave spring training behind.
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