Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Team Making Another Push to Extend Bryan Reynolds

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Pirates are trying to work out a contract extension with Bryan Reynolds before the start of the regular season

For much of the offseason the Pittsburgh Pirates seemed to revolve around the rumors that swirled around star outfielder Bryan Reynolds. After long-term contract talks broke down between the two sides in December, Reynolds requested a trade.

This led to an offseason of trade rumors swirling around Reynolds. He was connected to seemingly half of baseball but the Pirates never wavered in their desire to have Reynolds as a part of their team this season.

During spring training, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he believed contract talks would pick back up between the two sides. Additionally, team owner Bob Nutting was seen spending a lot of time with Reynolds early in spring training. Undoubtedly, this was in an effort to attempt to repair that relationship while also talking long-term deal.

Now, it appears those talks could be picking up again. According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman the Pirates are making an effort to get an extension done with Reynolds ahead of next Thursday's Opening Day.

While the two sides were far apart in initial talks earlier in the offseason, there is middle ground to be had. An offer from the Pirates in the area of 7-years for $110-120 million would likely get the job done. Especially since Reynolds has expressed repeatedly, even after requesting a trade, his desire to be in Pittsburgh long-term.

Hopefully, the two sides are able to hammer out a long-term extension before Opening Day. Similar to what the Pirates and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes did last spring. Locking up Reynolds long-term would do nothing but good for the Pirates. It would signal a desire to keep their best players in Pittsburgh long-term, truly solidify Reynolds as a piece they will build around, and gain the team some much need faith from their fanbase.