Baseball
Baseball
Reds Secure Ace Pitcher Chase Burns with Landmark Seven-Year Extension
Cincinnati has locked down standout right-handed pitcher Chase Burns, agreeing to a seven-year, $105 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. The deal, which is set to commence in the 2027 season and run through 2033, represents the largest guarantee ever for a pitcher with fewer than four years of major league experience. This extension will push back his free agency until after the 2033 season, which will be his age-30 campaign.
Burns, just 23, has rapidly ascended since being the second overall pick in the 2024 Draft. He made his big-league debut last season, pitched in the postseason, and earned his first All-Star nod this week, though he opted not to pitch due to a tight right groin. Despite his rookie 2025 ERA of 4.57 over eight starts and five relief appearances for Cincy (43 ⅓ innings), his underlying metrics, including a 2.65 FIP and 67 strikeouts, hinted at his future potential.
This season, Burns has delivered on that promise, boasting an 11-1 record with a 2.54 ERA over 18 starts and 102 ⅔ innings. His 28.6% strikeout rate ranks ninth among qualified MLB pitchers, and his fastball averages 97.8 mph, placing him in the 93rd percentile. He also showcases a formidable slider with a 51.2% swing-and-miss rate.
The contract includes no options or salary deferrals, making it tied for the largest pitcher contract in Reds history, matching Homer Bailey’s 2014 deal. Burns now joins Hunter Greene as a long-term fixture in Cincinnati’s pitching rotation, with the club making a significant investment in its young talent.
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