Pirates owner Bob Nutting moves to shift negative narrative by signing Bryan Reynolds

Bob Nutting knows the negative narrative about his ownership of the Pittsburgh Pirates — that he cares more about the bottom line than the win column — and changing public perception would be a process.

The Pirates chairman is taking steps to shift that storyline, starting by building a relationship with Bryan Reynolds before signing the 28-year-old star outfielder to the first nine-figure deal in franchise history.

Nutting is hoping that signing Reynolds to the $106.75 million deal over eight years, which comes as the Pirates (18-8) are off to their best start since 1992 and in first place in the NL Central after back-to-back 100-loss seasons, is a sign that he’s serious about building a winner.

“This franchise is the most important thing to me, period, full stop,” Nutting said Wednesday. “We saw real success nearly a decade ago now. It’s been far too long. It’s time for us to get back. We’ve had a plan. It’s been challenging the last few years, but it’s been a building window and we’ve made real progress. We’re seeing the tangible results of that progress. I look forward to seeing where we’re headed.”

Pirates chairman Bob Nutting addresses Bryan Reynolds about signing the star outfielder to an 8-year, $106.75 million contract. pic.twitter.com/RFkzbsgsYI

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) April 27, 2023

Under Nutting, the Pirates ended two decades of losing seasons by clinching three consecutive wild-card playoff berths from 2013-15, only to slip back to the bottom of the standings the past four years. Nutting bore the brunt of criticism for their paltry payrolls and losing records, as attendance dropped dramatically after five-time All-Star and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen was traded to the San Francisco Giants in January 2018.

Reynolds was part of the return in that trade, and although he developed into an All-Star in 2021, the Pirates failed to extend his contract. They avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year deal for $13.5 million. After leading the team in almost every major offensive category last season, he turned down their $80 million offer late last season and countered by asking for $134 million.

Nutting got personally involved after Reynolds requested a trade last November, then expressed his frustration that he was seeking a fair deal for both sides. In an attempt to clear the air, Nutting spoke with Reynolds before batting practice in February at Pirate City in spring training and at the home opener earlier this month. It was their private conversations in a board room at PNC Park where progress was made.

“Me and Bob had a few personal conversations that I think were really important to the whole situation, so we were able to share things about where we were at,” Reynolds said. “But the main thing is that we both had the same ultimate desire and I think once we realized that, we realized that this was something that needed to get done.”

That was an important development for Nutting, who has kept a distance from baseball matters as team chairman and has been reluctant to speak with the media because of the public backlash. That is slowly changing, with a gentle nudge from general manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton to be more visible and accessible to Pirates players.

Nutting got personally involved in the signing of Andrew McCutchen after a five-year hiatus, bringing the most popular player in PNC Park history back to the Pirates. Typically, Nutting addressed the team on the first full-squad workout of spring training. This year, he spent a week at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., to repair the damage done to Reynolds and spoke to reporters about his desire to finalize a deal.

“I believe it’s best for the Pirates, best for us, if he has a relationship certainly with our most important player,” Cherington said. “Certainly, Bryan would be one of those. And, from my seat and my job, I want, you know, more active input from Bob, certainly from (team president) Travis (Williams). Obviously we get it from baseball ops, but I want active input and collaboration and challenge sometimes. So I think we have a good rhythm going in that. I think it’s a healthy thing, when, you know, the owner of the Pirates is appropriately engaged with players like Bryan and more players like that.”

When Shelton was hired, he challenged Nutting — a term he used very loosely — to be more present with Pirates players. Now, Nutting visits Shelton in his office at least once a homestand to talk through topics. Despite going 142-242 in his first three seasons, the Pirates recently extended Shelton’s contract beyond the 2023 season. It was a public vote of confidence for a lame-duck manager and a nod to the hot start.

“I think it’s important for players to have those conversations with the people that are ultimately signing their check and know what the commitment is and that it’s real,” Shelton said. “I think the fact that the players see that and see him around BP and see him in spring training, that’s really important.

“The one thing that I thought, besides Bryan Reynolds being here for eight years, that was the most important thing that was said today was the trust in the process we have. We’re seeing that start to be executed in different decisions that we’re making that there is a process, that from the top down, there is a belief in what we’re doing and how we’re doing it, that’s really important.”

The Pirates now have signed two key players to franchise-record contracts, locking up Reynolds a year after third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes agreed to an eight-year, $70 million deal to provide a pair of cornerstones for their rebuilding plan.

Nutting promised there’s more to come. Shortstop Oneil Cruz and right-hander Roansy Contreras most likely are the next targets in a talented young core that has the potential to make the Pirates competitive and fulfill Nutting’s promise of building a champion.

“One, we’re not (done). To a great degree, we’re just getting started,” Nutting said. “I think we’ve see that with the start of the season. We’ve played a handful of games, and we’ve played very well. It’s a long season. We have a lot of season in front of us. We’re just getting started. I think today we should focus on what we did today, which is a huge step for the franchise with Bryan. I’m confident we’ll have future steps as we go forward.”