Story perspectives

Reds lock Chase Burns with $105 M, seven-year deal

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Chase Burns signed a seven-year, $105 million extension for 2027-2033.
Burns, 23, posted an 11-1 record, 2.54 ERA and 118 strikeouts, while his fastball averaged 97.8 mph (93rd percentile) and his slider whiffed 51.2% of swings.
The contract ties Homer Bailey’s $105 million guarantee, the third-largest in Reds history.
Burns missed the July 14 All-Star Game with a right-groin tweak as Cincinnati sits 43-52, last in the NL Central.

History

Historical Context

After the Diamondbacks signed left-hander Randy Johnson to a four-year, $52.4 million deal in late 1998, the expansion club vaulted to a 100-win, NL West-winning season in 1999 and captured the 2001 World Series with Johnson and Curt Schilling. The contract set a new benchmark for pitcher salaries, a trend echoed today by the Reds’ seven-year, $105 million extension for Chase Burns.

1 of 2

Story summary

Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Chase Burns signed a seven-year, $105 million extension for 2027-2033.
Burns, 23, posted an 11-1 record, 2.54 ERA and 118 strikeouts, while his fastball averaged 97.8 mph (93rd percentile) and his slider whiffed 51.2% of swings.
The contract ties Homer Bailey’s $105 million guarantee, the third-largest in Reds history.
Burns missed the July 14 All-Star Game with a right-groin tweak as Cincinnati sits 43-52, last in the NL Central.

1 / 2