Reds, All-Star Chase Burns reportedly in agreement on 7-year, $105 million extension 26 starts into big-league career
The Cincinnati Reds and starting pitcher Chase Burns reached an agreement on a seven-year, $105 million extension, according to multiplemedia reports Thursday.
The contract marks the largest guarantee given to a pitcher with fewer than four years of MLB service, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The deal includes no options or deferrals, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported.
"A straight deal that will run through 2033," ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote on X.
Burns, 23, would have been eligible for free agency after the 2031 season. He's coming off his first All-Star appearance. The righty has made 26 starts in his burgeoning big-league career, which began when he made his MLB debut for the Reds on June 24 last year.
This season, Burns has taken an auspicious step. Through 18 starts, he's posting a 2.54 ERA with 118 strikeouts and a mere 37 walks. Among MLB pitchers in 2026, Burns ranks in the top five in WAR (4.2). That sparkling ERA of his is good for fifth-best in the majors.
While pitchers' win-loss records aren't judged like they once were, it's worth noting that Burns' 11 victories are tied for the second most of any MLB pitcher this season. Only Milwaukee Brewers southpaw Aaron Ashby has more (12).
The Reds drafted Burns out of Wake Forest with the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2024. At the time, he received a $9.25 million signing bonus, which, according to The Athletic, rewrote a record set the year before by Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes, an LSU product who's since won NL Rookie of the Year and the NL Cy Young Award.
Burns is living up to lofty expectations, and he's reportedly secured another milestone contract early in his MLB career.
