Report: Pirates could still extend Reynolds but sides disagree on opt-out clause

The Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Bryan Reynolds were unable to reach a deal on an extension before Opening Day due to disagreement over an opt-out clause, a source told Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic.

The sides found common ground on basic terms for an eight-year, $106-million extension, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Reynolds' agents asked the Pirates for an opt-out after the 2026 season, per Feinsand. But the Pirates balked, as they're apparently against awarding opt-out clauses in long-term deals, Biertempfel reports.

The Pirates and Reynolds had set a deadline of 4:10 p.m. ET on Opening Day for a potential deal, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. However, the sides have remained in contact since then and it's possible that a deal could still be reached before the Pirates' home opener next week, according to Biertempfel.

Reynolds agreed to backload the contract to give the Pirates more payroll flexibility. In exchange, he requested the opt-out clause, leading to the current stalemate, according to Biertempfel.

Reynolds said in mid-February that he was open to a long-term extension after demanding a trade last December.

Pittsburgh reportedly initially offered the 28-year-old a six-year, $75-million extension with no team options, but the player's camp was seeking something closer to the eight-year, $168-million deal Matt Olson inked with the Atlanta Braves.

Reynolds is arbitration-eligible through the 2025 campaign. The 2021 All-Star owns a career .281/.361/.461 slash line with 74 homers, 18 triples, and 239 RBIs over four years with the Pirates.