The Pittsburgh Pirates signed a two-year, $13.5 million deal with star midfielder Bryan Reynolds, avoiding wage arbitrage.
The deal, announced on Thursday, will see Reynolds earn $6.75 million per season.
Reynolds and the Pirates were destined to go through the salary arbitration process after failing to reach a one-year agreement for 2022. Reynolds was asking for 4.9 million, but the Pirates wanted to pay 4.25 million.
Reynolds, 27, established himself in the majors after the Pirates acquired him from the San Francisco Giants in January 2018 for field star Andrew McCutchen.
Reynolds made the major leagues in 2019 and moved to center field in 2021. He hit .302 with 24 homers and 90 RBIs, while becoming a reliable player defensively.
Reynolds is hitting .227 with a homer in five games so far this season.
The deal came two days after the Pirates signed third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to eight years and $70 million.
