MLB Insider: Inside the Pirates’ lucrative extension with All-Star Mitch Keller

In recent years, the Pittsburgh Pirates have extended a couple of homegrown players. On Opening Day in 2022, they signed Ke’Bryan Hayes to an eight-year, $70 million contract. On April 25 last year, they signed Bryan Reynolds to an eight-year, $106.75 million contract, the largest deal in franchise history.

During spring training this year, they extended right-hander Mitch Keller on a five-year, $77 million contract, the largest deal for a pitcher in franchise history. Here’s a breakdown of the contract, according to major-league sources.

Mitch Keller signs with Pirates: Contract breakdown

• 2024: $5,442,500
• 2025: $15 million.
• 2026: $16.5 million.
• 2027: $18 million.
• 2028: $20 million.

The deal, which does not include any club options, would pay Keller $650,000 if he won the Cy Young Award and $250,000 for second and $150,000 for third place.

Keller, 27, is coming off a season in which he posted a 4.21 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 194.1 innings pitched. In his five major league seasons with the Pirates since making his debut in 2019, Keller recorded a 4.71 ERA, a 25-38 win-loss record, a 1.499 WHIP, 521 strikeouts, 198 walks in 532.1 innings pitched (102 games, 100 starts).

His extension is in line with Pablo Lopez’s four-year, $73.5 million contract extension that he signed in April 2023. The deal now ensures that Keller will be a foundational piece atop the Pirates’ rotation and pair with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes once he reaches the majors.