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MLB Insider: 3 in-season contract extension candidates

By Robert Murray

Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 17, 2022 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 17, 2022 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /

Contract extensions continue to happen in-season. Here are three other players who are strong candidates for long-term deals.

In most MLB seasons, contract extension talks are halted before first pitch on Opening Day. Players and teams typically table discussions until after the season so they aren’t a distraction during the year.

This has not been like most seasons.

Hunter Greene, the promising Cincinnati Reds right-hander, became the latest contract extension to get done just days after the Minnesota Twins extended Pablo Lopez and the San Diego Padres extended Jake Cronenworth.

There are believed to be more discussions going on throughout the league, so it’s entirely possible that we see more extensions agreed to in the coming days and weeks. Here are three other players who could be candidates for long-term agreements.

MLB rumors: Insider reveals 3 in-season contract extension candidates for 2023

Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates

Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates made significant progress on an eight-year contract extension in the $106 million range. But as FanSided first reported, the two sides had “major hurdles” — specifically an opt-out clause, among other things — that they needed to clear, and ultimately were unable to compromise.

So here we are, weeks after the two sides agreed to terms, and a deal still has not been reached. There’s optimism that the two sides will eventually agree to a deal, but when that will happen is unclear.

What’s also unclear is whether or not Reynolds’ camp and the Pirates get creative if they can’t agree on an opt-out clause. Could the Pirates increase the offer to give Reynolds more money? Could it feature a no-trade clause instead?

Ultimately, I expect Reynolds to sign an extension to be with the Pirates long-term. It’s just taking longer than anyone could have envisioned when it seemed like an agreement on Opening Day was at the goal line.

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