Pirates reversing course with Konnor Griffin decision hints at contract extension resolution

Although some (okay, most) Pirates fans were upset with the front office's decision to send No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin back to the minors to start the year, the move made sense. Griffin is 19 years old, didn't have a single Triple-A game under his belt yet, and — despite displaying the serious power that everyone knew he already had — didn't have a great overall offensive showing in spring training.

Since the demotion (can we really even call it a demotion when he was never in the majors to begin with?), Griffin has played five games in Triple-A Indianapolis and has done just about as well as you'd think: .438 average and 1.196 OPS. It forced the issue.

On Thursday morning, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reported that the Pirates intend to call Griffin up for Pittsburgh's home opener on Friday.

Rumors about extension talks have already been brewing, with the latest intel suggesting that there's a $20 million(ish) gap between the two parties. His promotion telegraphs, at the very least, some real movement on that front.

The timing is smart, too. Griffin's debut on Friday will make him PPI eligible in 2026.

Pirates to call up No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin for Friday home opener after demotion backlash

Buster Olney of ESPN reported on Wednesday that Griffin and the Pirates were "deep into" extension talks. Griffin's camp was asking for a deal akin to Roman Anthony's eight-year, $130 million contract with the Red Sox, while Ben Cherington and Co. were looking at Corbin Carroll's eight-year, $111 million deal with the Diamondbacks.

Either deal already looks like a steal for Griffin, who is perhaps the most highly-touted, consensus No. 1 prospect in years. Although he didn't hit well for average in camp, his four home runs were some of the most monstrous fans have seen.

There's simply no question as to whether or not Griffin will be an offensive upgrade at shortstop from Jared Triolo and, while Triolo is an excellent defender, there's reason to believe that Griffin can surpass him there, too.

The deadline to promote Griffin to be eligible for Rookie of the Year honors, which could earn the Pirates an extra draft pick next year per the PPI, is April 9. The Pirates are coming right in under the wire with this one, but it still erases the outrage from their initial decision to send him back to Indianapolis.

Welcome to the show.