Chase Burns Signs $105 Million Extension Following 11-1 Start to Season

The Cincinnati Reds secured right-hander Chase Burns with a $105 million, seven-year contract extension through the 2033 season.

DENVER -- Right-hander Chase Burns signed a $105 million, seven-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, securing the 23-year-old through the 2033 season. The deal establishes a new record as the largest guaranteed contract in Major League Baseball history for a pitcher with less than four years of service time, exceeding the previous high mark by 40% for players with one or more years of service. Burns, the second overall pick of the 2024 amateur draft out of Wake Forest, currently holds an 11-1 record this season paired with a 2.54 ERA. This Chase Burns contract follows his selection to his first career All-Star Game.

Coffee Spill Delays Official Signing

The formalization of the agreement at Coors Field encountered a brief interruption when Reds general manager Brad Meador accidentally toppled a cup of coffee onto the official paperwork. Burns recounted the incident before the Reds faced the Colorado Rockies, noting that the spill required the team to print a new set of documents to finalize the $105 million commitment. Despite the delay, the right-hander described the process as easy. This signing marks Burns as only the second player in Reds history to earn an All-Star selection within two years of being drafted, a feat previously accomplished by Scott Williamson, who was drafted in 1997 and named an All-Star in 1999.

Strategic Roster Building in Cincinnati

President of baseball operations Nick Krall emphasized that the timing was ideal to finalize the extension for the developing starter. The Reds have now secured two primary arms for their rotation, having previously signed right-hander Hunter Greene to a $53 million, six-year contract in 2023. Krall identified Burns and Greene as foundational building blocks for a core group that includes young infielders Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. The organization's strategy mirrors a broader trend across the league of locking up young talent early in their careers. Within the National League Central, the St. Louis Cardinals recently executed a similar move by signing rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt to an eight-year deal worth $112.5 million.

Future Goals and Development

Burns expressed his intent to win a championship, stating that the team possesses a great set of players capable of improving every year. As a young pitcher in the major leagues, he continues to focus on development at the professional level. Krall noted that the pitcher's work ethic and success in developing at this level were key factors in the team's decision to offer the long-term extension. The Reds view the 23-year-old as a central figure in their efforts to build a competitive roster for the next decade. The contract ensures Burns remains the centerpiece of the Cincinnati rotation as they pursue their end goal of a title through the 2033 campaign.