Pirates Sign All-Star Outfielder To Two-Year Pact

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds to a two-year contract, avoiding arbitration. 

Center fielder Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a two-year contract to avoid arbitration, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Reynolds, 27, is Super 2 eligible and thus won’t reach free agency until after the 2025 season. Deal covers 2022-23.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 14, 2022

Reynolds made his first All-Star appearance in 2021, batting .302 with a .912 OPS, along with 24 homers, 90 RBIs, and a major league-leading 8 triples. 

Reynolds had been the subject of several trade rumors over the offseason, as many teams were looking to get their hands on the 27-year-old. But the Pirates apparently see him as the leader of their rebuild, with some younger stars being added around him, such as Ke'Bryan Hayes (just signed to a lengthy extension), and top prospect Oneil Cruz, who, for now, remains stashed away in the minors.

As MLB Insider Jeff Passan notes, Reynolds isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season, so he has plenty of years of team control left. 

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports