Pittsburgh Pirates & Bryan Reynolds Are at the 2 Yard Line, Get it Done

The two sides are closer than ever to getting a contract extension done, if the Pittsburgh Pirates fail to finish their deal with Bryan Reynolds that will be a massive failure by the organization

Many times in life the simple, obvious move to make is the correct one. Just ask Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. Had they simply handed the ball to Marshawn Lynch at the 2-yard line the Seahawks would have won their second consecutive Super Bowl and dynasty talk would have begun. Instead, they elected to throw the ball, Malcolm Butler jumped the route, and Tom Brady won yet another Super Bowl ring.

So, Pittsburgh Pirates, please do not be the Seahawks in Super Bowl 49. You're at the 2-yard line in contract extension talks with Bryan Reynolds. Do not overthink this. Just make the easy call and get this done.

Reynolds contract talk dominated the offseason for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It also dominated the final few days of spring training heading into the regular season. While a soft deadline of Thursday's 4:10 PM ET first pitch was set to get an extension done, both sides are still at the table talking and attempting to get a deal done.

Reports broke from Jon Heyman on Thursday that the two sides were in agreement on financial details but there was one big conceptual issue holding up the deal. Jason Mackey confirmed on Friday that the two sides have agreed to 8 years and $106 million, but that the hold was the desire for Reynolds to have an opt out clause in the contract.

It was further reported by Mackey and others that the opt out Reynolds requested would come following the 2026 season. Right now, Reynolds is under team control through 2025. So even if Reynolds would opt out following the 2026 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates would still get an additional year of team control with Reynolds.

Reynolds has moved a lot in what he's asking financially. Had the Pirates met him at around $120-125 million, which would have been a great deal for the Pirates, then the opt out clause discussion may not even be on the table.

Unfortunately, at this point, it's too late for that. However, it is not too late for the extension to get done. If an extension does not get done at this point that will be a huge embarassment for the Pirates. It will be an inexcusbale bungle that can not happen. The heavy lifting is done. You're at the 2-yard line at this point. Just give the ball to Beast Mode, hand it off. Do not overthink this.

There is absolutely no reason for this to not get done at this point. Reynolds has conceded a lot in contract talks, now it's the front office's turn. If a deal does not get done fans will be outraged, and rightfully so, with the Pirate front office.