Reynolds and Hayes deals show Pittsburgh Pirates may be changing
Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting recently told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “We’re going to start building here in Pittsburgh.” The Pirates indeed took another step towards that on Thursday by inking All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds to a two-year deal to avoid arbitration.
After the recent history by Nutting to spend frugally (the Pittsburgh Pirates came into this season with the third-lowest payroll in all of Major League Baseball at $34.5 million for the 2022 campaign), it can be easy to understand why Pirates fans would shrug off Nutting’s statement about constructing a competitive roster in Pittsburgh. However, Nutting has been putting his wallet where his mouth has been in recent days.
The deals with Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds may well show that the Pittsburgh Pirates are serious about building a competitive roster
Within the span of one week, the Pirates signed talented third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to an eight-year, $70 million contract extension that included a club option for a ninth season and All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds to a two-year contract that is reportedly worth $13.5 million, eliminating any issues with arbitration. The deal ensure that Reynolds won’t reach free agency until 2025, likely putting him and Hayes as the cornerstones in Pittsburgh for the near future.
The Hayes extension was the largest in franchise history and shows that the Pirates understand exactly what they could have in the 25-year-old third baseman who is very likely going to be in the Gold Glove conversation at the hot corner once again this season. With Reynolds, the Pirates have likely (at least for now) put an end to the multitude of trade rumors that always seem to be surrounding the 27-year-old outfielder who earned MVP votes last season after slashing .302/.390/.522, hitting 24 home runs, and driving in 90. He also tied for the MLB lead last season with eight triples.
Both Hayes and Reynolds are players to build around, and it seems that’s exactly what Pittsburgh is seemingly planning to do.
What was popular in 1979 when the Pirates won the World Series?. dark. Next
Sure, there’s plenty of work left to do with the Pirates, and Nutting will have to also be competitive in the free agent market as well in the future if he plans to contend in a National League Central where the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals seem to have the current upper hand. However, dishing out money to players who not only deserve it but are also talented enough to be building blocks for the rest of your franchise is a solid first step on the road back to respectability.