Pirates On Verge of Finally Not Cheaping Out With Konnor Griffin
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Konnor Griffin look like a perfect match for the betterment of baseball in the city, but it's not 100% certain that it will happen.
The Pirates and Griffin have reportedly had discussion talks around a contract extension, but there are disagreements on the amount of money between the two parties.
Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the Pirates see an eight-year, $111 million deal, like the one Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll signed in March 2023, as something they'd be interested in.
Olney also reported that Griffin's representatives want an eight-year, $130 million deal, like former top prospect in outfielder Roman Anthony signed after making his debut last year.
The Pirates and Griffin's team are off by about $19 million, which in the grand scheme of things, is very little money and something that shouldn't stop the Pirates, especially, from making a better offer that will get the contract extension over the line.
Why Pirates Must Make More Reasonable Offer
Griffin is at his cheapest right now and at the best bargaining spot the Pirates have for their young star, before he will command a contract they won't be able to get over the line.
He turns 20 years old on April 24 and just started play at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he's already posted great numbers, slashing .462/.588/.692 for an OPS of 1.280 in four games, with six hits in 13 at-bats, three doubles, one RBI, four walks to four strikeouts and two stolen bases.
Griffin gives the Pirates everything they want in their future shortstop, with great defense and an MiLB Gold Glove, a bat that goes for contact and power, blistering speed and great athleticism.
The Pirates also will most likely call Griffin up in the near future, especially if he keeps up his play at Triple-A, and he'll have a chance to compete for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
Pittsburgh has the chance to make Griffin a face of the franchise along with 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner in starting pitcher Paul Skenes, making for the best young duo in baseball.
The Pirates, if they can sign Griffin to an extension, will break their franchise-record contract, which was outfielder Bryan Reynolds signing an eight-year, $106.75 million contract extension on April 25, 2023.
Pittsburgh made numerous offseason additions to their lineup, showing their intent towards postseason competition, and putting more money towards signing Griffin and getting that done will earn a great deal of goodwill for a fanbase desperate for meaningful baseball.
Motivating Factors for Both Sides for Extension
Griffin would earn near MLB minimum salary ($780,000 in 2026), for his first three years, which is pre-arbitration. He would then spend three years in arbitration, where he and the Pirates would try to agree on salary for the upcoming season, or go to an arbitration panel, which would side with either the player or team.
A contract extension gets rid of all of that, allowing Griffin to make a great deal of money at a young age and bypass all of the annoying negotiations that come with arbitration.
The Pirates would then have their star player for two extra years, that would buy out of free agency, keeping him through the 2033 season.
Griffin would still reach free agency by the time he turns 28 years old, giving him another shot to earn a big-time contract and even more money.
The Pirates aren't the only team making big moves around their future prospects, as the Milwaukee Brewers signed infielder Cooper Pratt to an eight-year, $51 million contract and the Seattle Mariners signed shortstop Colt Emerson to an eight-year, $95 million deal, with both contracts announced this week.
Both Pratt and Emerson have not made their MLB debuts yet, with Emerson setting the record for a contract extension signed before featuring in the major leagues.
With Griffin as the consensus top prospect in baseball, the Pirates will have to up their price and break that record, or if they sign it soon after he plays for the PPI (Prospect Promotion Incentive), then still sign him to a nine-figure deal.
Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.