Pirates Lock Up Griffin with Massive 9-Year Deal

0:00It's April 2nd. I'm Cory with the story. This is MLB News Today, driven by AI and Dilt for baseball fans. Pittsburgh Pirates are on the verge of locking up their star short-stop prospect, Connor Griffin, with a massive nine-year deal worth $140 million. This would smash the franchise record held by Brian Reynolds' eight-year pact for $106 million, $750,000. Griffin's getting called up for his big league debut right before their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles on April 3rd at PNC Park. Talk started rocky, with both sides eyeing eight years, but the Pirates at 111 million and Griffin's cam pushing 130 million. Now they bridge that gap, and this extension would top any pre- debut contract out there, beating the Seattle Mariners eight years and 95 million for Colt Emerson. Fans in scouts are buzzing because Griffin's just 19, a ninth overall pick last year out of high school in Mississippi. As 6p3 and 223 pounds, he's already married,

1:04super mature, and a five-tool beast hits for average in power, fields. Like a wizard and swipes bags easy. Pirates see him as their cornerstone. They're holding off the official announcement until after his debut, maybe a few days later, to chase a bonus draft pick through the prospect. Promotion incentive. Griffin needs 172 days on the roster this year, plus a top three National League MVP finish, or rookie of the year nod in the next. Three seasons to trigger it, smart move for a draft heavy team by Pittsburgh. This locks Griffin in Pittsburgh for nearly a decade, skips the arbitration drama, and sets him up with generational cash before 20. Pirates buy peace of mind, and he can chase another bag in his prime at 29. Big win all around as they build for contention.