The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly signed star center fielder Bryan Reynolds to a two-year contract worth $13.5 million, avoiding salary arbitration.
Posted at 1:09 p.m.
A source with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that the pact will run until the conclusion of 2023 and will see Reynolds earn $6.75 million per season. This person requested anonymity to speak with the AP since the agreement has not yet been confirmed. However, it could come later Thursday.
Reynolds and the Pirates had to go through salary arbitration after failing to reach a one-year deal for 2022. Reynolds was asking for $4.9 million, but the Pirates wanted to pay him $4.25 million.
Reynolds, 27, established himself in the major leagues after the Pirates acquired him from the San Francisco Giants in January 2018 for star outfielder Andrew McCutchen.
Reynolds graduated to the major leagues in 2019 and was moved to center field in 2021. He batted .302 with 24 homers and 90 RBIs while becoming a reliable player defensively.
Reynolds is hitting .227 with a long ball in five games so far this season with the Pirates.
The deal came two days after the Pirates signed third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to an eight-year, $70 million contract.