Pirates GM Ben Cherington: Door remains open on Bryan Reynolds contract extension talks

Ben Cherington had “nothing to report” in negotiations with outfielder Bryan Reynolds, but the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager hasn’t closed the door on contract extension talks.

Reynolds had set Opening Day on March 30 at Cincinnati as a deadline to get a deal done, and the sides reportedly had agreed on term (eight years) and a dollar figure ($106.75 million) but reached an impasse when Reynolds asked for an opt-out clause.

“We’ve never had any team policy about opening day or anything like that,” Cherington said Wednesday morning before the Pirates played the Houston Astros at PNC Park. “Out of respect to players and the team, we try to keep those conversations to the offseason and spring training. But if it makes sense for all parties to have a conversation during the season, there’s no policy against that. We’re open to that.”

Cherington reiterated his stance about Reynolds, that he’s “someone we’d love to see here for a long time” and “really important to what we’re doing.”

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Reynolds, 28, slashed .356/.367/.778 with two doubles, a triple, five home runs and 14 RBIs through the first 11 games and was named MLB player of the week on Monday for his hot start to the season.

“He’s playing well,” Cherington said. “From his play, it looks like he’s focused on the season. We’re focused on supporting him. If there’s anything more to talk about, we’ll keep that between him and us.”

Cherington is aware that Reynolds, a 2021 All-Star, could drive up his asking price with continued success. The sides had split a $50 million gap since Reynolds requested a trade in November, with the Pirates increasing their $80 million offer over six seasons and Reynolds lowering his demand of eight years, $134 million.

“I think we just have to focus on what we can control,” Cherington said. “Doing the best job we can to communicate. On a topic like that, it’s just our choice to have our communication be direct with players and agents and keep it there. Again, we respect Bryan Reynolds a lot. Love him as a player. We want him to be here for a long time. That would be the best outcome.”

Cherington said the Pirates expect shortstop Oneil Cruz to “fully recover” after undergoing surgery Sunday night to repair his fractured left ankle. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Cruz won’t be able to put any weight on his left leg for two months but is expected to return to “high-level baseball activities” in four months, and Cherington said there won’t be any pressure to rush Cruz to return.

“He’s so important that we want the rehab to honor him,” Cherington said. “We want it to be the right thing for him, whatever that looks like. When he’s ready to play at the major league level, he’s going to be back here on that day, whenever that day is.

“I’m confident he’ll work hard at it. It’s going to be a time here where it’s really just let the bone heal and there’s not going to be a ton he can do. But once he gets into more activity, I’m confident he’ll work hard at it. It would be a no-brainer to get him back on the active roster as soon as he’s ready, no matter where the team is.”

The Pirates announced after Wednesday’s 7-0 loss to the Houston Astros that starting right-hander JT Brubaker underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will miss 14-16 months. Mike Burrows, a top-10 prospect at Triple-A Indianapolis, also is seeking a second opinion on an elbow injury. Their extended absences will test the Pirates’ rotational depth in the majors and minors.

Cherington said the Pirates will support Brubaker to “overcome this elbow injury and get back,” calling it an “opportunity for other guys to step up.”

“Certainly coming into spring training, anticipated Brubaker in the rotation and Burrows being part of that first line of defense likely in Indy,” Cherington said. “Both guys are gonna be out for awhile. First and foremost we look internally.

“Obviously (Johan) Oviedo has already stepped into the rotation here and pitched really well his last time out. Looking forward to seeing him again. But it’ll be an opportunity for guys in the minor leagues to step up, too. Last April, I certainly wasn’t anticipating Luis Ortiz making starts in the big leagues for us. He eventually did. That means there could be another guy who we’re not thinking about right now who has a chance to emerge. There really is that opportunity. We’ll do whatever we can to help guys take the next step. Someone will take the next step, step up and fill some of that hole that’s been created.”