Pittsburgh Pirates: Goals for After the All-Star Break

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the New York Mets during a game at Citi Field on July 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 11: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the New York Mets during a game at Citi Field on July 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 10: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during game one of a double header against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 10: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during game one of a double header against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

It’s extension SZN

Two current Pirate players who appear to be long-term pieces of the new core could be candidates to begin extension talks. These two players are third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and center fielder Bryan Reynolds.

This past offseason it was reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates and Hayes started to discuss a contract extension, but that talks fizzled out quickly. With Hayes building upon his strong 2020 debut season with a .262/.349/.438 slash line, 117 wRC+ and 1.1 fWAR through 37 games played this season, he appears to be proving his 2020 season was not a fluke.

In addition to Hayes, Reynolds has emerged as an extension candidate. Reynolds telling the media at All-Star Game media days that he enjoys Pittsburgh and wants to remain with the Pirates only feeds into this.

Outside of his struggles in a small sample size in 2020 Reynolds has been one of the best hitters in the National League since he made his debut in 2019. Building around Hayes and Reynolds is a no brainer move. Due to this beginning extension talks, and hopefully finalizing them with at least one of the two, should be a goal for the Pirates after the All-Star Break