Pirates Lock Up Griffin with Record-Breaking Deal

0:00It's April 17. You're listening to M.O.B News today, AI-powered baseball coverage. I'm Cory with the story. Pittsburgh pirates just locked up their star prospect, Connor Griffin, with a nine-year extension worth $140 million running. Through the end of the 2034 season, the deal could hit $150 million, with incentives tied to MVP votes from 2026 to 2031. No options or deferrals, and it includes a $12 million signing bonus paid out over three years. $5 million this year, then $3.5 million each in 2027 and 2028. Earlier reports had the sides closing in on this range last week, and now it's official, first broken by insiders like John Heyman. Griffin, not even 20 yet, gets security while hitting free agency at age 29 for a potential mega deal later. Griffin's fans are breathing easy after months of buzz about keeping their top prospect

1:00in the fold. This gives the team three extra years of control, beyond the usual, building around his five tool talent power, speed, defense, all that. Griffin crushed it in the miners last year, slashing $333 over $4.15 over $5.27 with 21 homers and $65, steals in 122 games. He's already flashed a triple A this season, but his first five big league games show a rough 0.176 average small sample, though, and his speed and glove is shortstop help right away. With Griffin now the highest pay pirate ever, the clubs all in this off season, adding guys like Brandon Low, Ryan O'Hern, and Marcel Lozuna too. Chase playoffs alongside Paul Sciends, payrolls climbing near 142 million, setting up prime contention years ahead.