Dodgers Rumored Trade Target Reynolds Inks Big Extension in PIT and That’s OK

Clint Pasillas 04/25/2023

2 1 minute read

The folks that really wanted the Dodgers to trade for Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds are shedding tears today as the All-Star has agreed to a sizable extension to stay in Pittsburgh. MLB insider Jon Heyman was among those to report the 8-year deal worth $106.75 million to keep the 28-year-old a Buc.

Reynolds $106.75M deal (counting this year, $100M in new $) is the first nine-figure deal in Pirates history and 52.5% above the franchise record contract. Also the largest extension ever for an outfielder who was drafted out of college.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 25, 2023

The deal — which was the largest in franchise history for Pittsburgh — also includes a 6 team no-trade list, although there’s no word on who is on that list.

For the Dodgers, the needs of the club have changed since the offseason, or even into spring training. Back then, it was a team looking to fill the void in center field by the departure of Cody Bellinger. It was also a team looking to add offense to the position where Bellinger had been struggling for years.

However, the emergence of James Outman has the future in center looking bright for Los Angeles.

In With Outman

Reynolds is off to a fine start with the surprising 16-7 Pirates. He’s slashing .294/.319/.553 in 22 games while Outman has been not only the best rookie in all of baseball, he’s also among the overall leaders. The 25-year-old Outman has posted a .311/.400/.703 triple slash line through 23 games and leads the Dodgers in bWAR with a 1.5 wins above replacement.

Should Outman continue some sort of this torrid start to the season, the Dodgers should consider some sort of extension of their own, even though that’s not something the organization really does.

Well, This is Awkward

The Dodgers’ interest in Reynolds was a key storyline over the offseason. And, the hope among some fans was that a deal could maybe still get done by the trade deadline to get Pittsburgh’s star outfielder to LA. Instead, he agrees to an extension on the day the Dodgers are in Pittsburgh to face the Pirates for the next three days.

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