Chase Burns Signs $105M Seven‑Year Deal with Cincinnati Reds

Contract Overview

Right‑hander Chase Burns has locked in a $105 million, seven‑year pact that will keep him with the Cincinnati Reds through the 2033 season. The agreement covers three years of arbitration eligibility and the first two seasons of potential free agency. Burns will earn $785,000 at the major‑league level in 2025 and an additional $198,173 if he is sent to the minors.

The deal is the largest guaranteed contract ever given to a pitcher with fewer than four years of service time, topping the previous mark by roughly 40 percent. It also marks the first time a pitcher has signed for at least $100 million before reaching five years of service, excluding club options. The contract ties Homer Bailey for the biggest guarantee to a Reds pitcher and sits third on the franchise’s all‑time list behind Joey Votto and Ken Griffey Jr.

Breakout Season Statistics

Burns entered the All‑Star break on a impressive 11‑1 record, ranking second in wins across the majors. He posted a 2.54 ERA—good for sixth‑best in the league—and struck out 118 hitters, placing seventh in the National League. His average fastball clocked at 97.8 mph, and the pitch generated a 31.7 percent swing‑and‑miss rate, the seventh‑highest mark in the majors.

In terms of innings, the 23‑year‑old recorded 15 starts with two runs or fewer allowed, underscoring his ability to keep games close. He was selected to his first All‑Star Game but pulled out after tweaking his right groin while fielding a wild pitch against Philadelphia on July 8.

Historical Context and Comparisons

Burns joins Edinson Volquez (2008) and Jim Maloney (1963) as the only Reds pitchers to amass at least 11 wins and 118 strikeouts before the mid‑season break. The Reds’ rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals has also seen a recent splash, with the Cardinals signing rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt to a $112.5 million, eight‑year contract last week.

Burns, a Wake Forest product, was the second overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft. He posted a 7‑3, 1.77 ERA in the minor leagues before breaking into the majors, where he struggled to a 0‑3, 4.57 ERA in 13 appearances as a rookie.

What the Deal Means for Cincinnati

The extension reflects a growing trend of clubs locking in young talent early, giving the Reds a cornerstone pitcher for the coming decade. With Cincinnati currently sitting at 43‑52 and last in the NL Central, the addition provides a potential boost toward the postseason, especially after a playoff run the previous year.

Burns is scheduled to make his first start after the break on Tuesday in Seattle, returning from the groin issue. The contract also removes any club options, ensuring the full $105 million is guaranteed if the club decides to part ways later.