One of the more interesting aspects of the contract negotiations between the Pittsburgh Pirates and their star outfielder Bryan Reynolds has been monitoring reactions from assorted parties on social media. During the off-season, Reynolds requested a trade unless he was offered more money and a longer-term deal. The club, in customary frugal fashion, countered with a proposal they believed to represent the player’s actual value. But the sides were far apart on both the contract extension’s duration and money. An arbitrary deadline for finalizing the pact was established by management and Reynolds’s camp on the Opening Day of the season. That day has passed. No agreement was reached.
Reports about the initial proposal and counter-proposal had the club offering a 6-year deal for $76M, while the agent for Reynolds advocated for a longer arrangement: 8 years at roughly $130 in that span. More recently, sources indicated the sides were closer to a middle ground. But nothing is imminent, and the numbers bandied around are seemingly more speculative than grounded in fact. Media members are merely guessing based on conversations with those whose identities are unclear, and that is the basis for this essay. In the eyes of public opinion given the absence of facts, perception is reality. Team-friendly reporters from ostensibly-respected news outlets have, intentionally or not, cast Reynolds as the heavy in the drama. By MLB standards, considering his age and production to date, he is decidedly underpaid. A salary under $7M per season is embarrassing. However, those media claiming he “demanded” a trade as a basis to negotiate displayed an obvious bias. Moreover, there have been conversations and quoted remarks about the contract’s status with front office officials, but few with the approachable Reynolds or his agent as they largely have declined to comment.
Reynolds is a likable sort and fans, in general, do not regard his intentions in this context as outrageous or unwarranted. Additionally, in a spiteful maneuver, the club undermined the player’s leverage and value during the Spring by moving him from center field to left field. A player’s earning potential is greater at the central outfield position. Almost predictably, his replacement in center field struggled mightily during Spring games, making the switch even more glaring and dubious in nature.
According to MLB reporter Jon Heyman, a “conceptual” matter recently upended contract progress. That is, parties found their financial parameters largely in accord. A separate but unclear issue derailed an eventual agreement. Speculation over the specifics of the dispute center on an “opt out clause” or a “no trade clause,” suggesting Reynolds desires control over which teams, should the Pirates elect to deal him, would be acceptable. Yet, this aspect in the process largely remains conjecture.
The sole consensus among observers is that there is no consensus; the next chapter is unknown. Have discussions ended? Will they continue? It is irrelevant since the sides opted not to address the matter publicly going forward.
Hold Back The Nite 