CINCINNATI -- The Chase Burns meteor keeps burning bright. The Reds are banking that their 23-year-old starting pitcher will do so for many years to come.
Sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that the Reds and Burns are in agreement Thursday on a seven-year, $105 million contract that will begin in 2027 and run through 2033. There are no options or deferrals included.
The Reds have not confirmed the report.
In the two years since he was made the second overall selection in the 2024 Draft, Burns made his big league debut, pitched in the postseason and just this week, went to his first All-Star Game. Now the right-hander has received a huge payday.
Burns' new deal is tied for the largest guarantee given to a pitcher in Reds history and tied for third largest overall. In total dollars, it equals the six-year, $105 million contract pitcher Homer Bailey signed in 2014. The biggest commitment the club has ever made was the 10-year, $225 million extension given to first baseman Joey Votto in 2012. In 2000, upon his trade from the Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr. was given a nine-year, $116.5 million contract.
Burns is 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 18 starts and 102 2/3 innings this season and is viewed as a contender for the National League Cy Young Award, along with Jacob Misiorowski, Cristopher Sánchez and Shohei Ohtani.
Feeling a tight right groin following his last start from covering home plate on a wild pitch vs. the Phillies on July 8, Burns opted not to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game. However, he was not expected to miss his next start -- scheduled for Tuesday at Seattle.
Once made official, Burns will be the latest in a long line of extensions for young players this season. Some of the names on that list include the Pirates’ Konnor Griffin, the Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt, the Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle and the Brewers’ Cooper Pratt.
Both Burns and McGonigle -- who signed an eight-year, $150 deal with the Tigers in April -- are represented by VaynerSports.
The last time the Reds signed one of their young pitchers long term was 2023, when they inked a six-year, $53 million contract with starter Hunter Greene that runs through 2028 with a $21 million club option for '29 ($2 million buyout).
Signing pitchers long term does come with inherent risks. Bailey, who threw a no-hitter in 2012 and '13, was also coming off 200-plus inning seasons in both those years when he signed his contract. But in 69 starts from 2014-18, the right-hander went 18-32 with a 5.27 ERA.
After the '18 season, Bailey's contract was offloaded in a trade with the Dodgers in a move that sent prospects Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs to the Dodgers for Kyle Farmer, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and more.
In each big league season before and since signing his contract in '23, Greene has had at least one stretch on the injured list. That includes not debuting until July 4 this season after March surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow.
Which young player could be next to sign with Cincinnati? Look no further than Burns' fellow 2026 All-Star, Sal Stewart.
Back in June, both Stewart and Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall appeared open to the idea of locking up the 22-year-old first baseman/third baseman. However, there had been no known serious contract talks yet at the time.
A leading contender for NL Rookie of the Year honors, Stewart made his big league debut on Sept. 1. This season, he is batting .256 with an .812 OPS, 19 home runs and 65 RBIs in 95 games.
Stewart's agent, Dan Lozano, is also the one who negotiated Votto's blockbuster contract with Cincinnati.