Pirates React to Bryan Reynolds Long-Term Extension

PITTSBURGH — The first-place Pittsburgh Pirates host the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on Tuesday, but that is not the biggest news of the day.

The bigger news, of course, is that the Pirates agreed to a long-term extension with Bryan Reynolds. The deal will keep the 28-year-old in Pittsburgh through at least 2030.

Reynolds is currently on the bereavement list and is not with the club, but the contract is expected to be finalized on Wednesday once Reynolds completes his physical.

The Pirates’ outfielder has gotten off to a hot start this season with a .294 batting average, an .872 OPS, five homers and 18 RBIs.

The Pirates are certainly excited that the 2021 All-Star will be wearing the black and gold for the long-haul.

“Yeah, just super happy for him. We’re all happy that he’s staying here and can’t wait until he gets back,” teammate Ke’Bryan Hayes said. 

Hayes wasn’t the only player to express his excitement over the news. In Hayes’ case, though, he is the other player on the roster who has received a long-term extension.

Like Reynolds, Hayes also signed an eight-year deal which included a club option last April. His deal was for a $70M guarantee.

Relief ace David Bednar is another player who has established himself as one of the faces of the franchise. Like Hayes, he too is pleased with the news.

“Awesome. Pumped up. I’m pumped up to have him here, pumped up for him and his family. He’s a great ballplayer. For him to be here and locked up here, it’s very exciting,” Bednar said. “It just speaks to the direction it’s going and the guys in this locker room who have been apart of that. It’s been a good start to the season and hopefully we can keep that rolling,” he added.

For four of his seasons wearing a Pirates’ uniform, Shelton has been his manager. With how Reynolds’ has performed while he’s been with Pittsburgh, Shelton has grown a big appreciation for how Reynolds plays and what he means to his team.

“Well, I think you guys all know I’m a huge Bryan Reynolds fan. Brian Reynolds having the ability to be here long-term I think is really important and it means a lot to us… I’m a big Bryan Reynolds fan, so hopefully he’ll be a Pirate for a while,” Shelton said.

It looks like Shelton will get his wish. Reynolds could be a decade through the rest of this decade and beyond.