Revealed: Sticking Point In Reynolds, Pirates Contract Talks

The money is taken care of, as is the length of the contract, but a Bryan Reynolds extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates has been held up for the last 24 hours by a previously unknown "conceptual issue". That's now been revealed as an opt-out clause, according to Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic. 

Source: Contract extension talks between Bryan Reynolds, Pirates hinge on inclusion of opt-out clause. Neither side has walked away from table, so hope for deal still flickers. https://t.co/FDUOsLSKon

— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) March 31, 2023

The terms are an eight-year deal for $106M, as the two sides have met in the middle from their previous dollar discrepancy, but Reynolds' camp wants an opt-out clause after four years, which the Pirates have been reticent to include.

The good news, says Biertempfel, is that "neither side has walked away from the table." 

There was originally an Opening Day deadline for any extension to get done, but with the sides this close, they've apparently extended it. 

There is no no-trade clause included, according to the report, and Reynolds has apparently agreed to back-load the contract, giving the Pirates more financial flexibility in the upcoming years to add to the team. 

Talks continue, and Pirates fans continue to hold their breath. 

Photo: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports