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Reds sign Chase Burns to historic new deal

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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Reds sign Chase Burns to historic new deal

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 16, 2026 1:32 PM ET

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In keeping with the recent trend of teams locking up young stars with new long term deals, the Cincinnati Reds have awarded right-hander Chase Burns with a historic contract that will keep him with the franchise through 2033.

On Thursday afternoon, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Burns and the Reds agreed to a seven-year, $105 million contract.

Chase Burns' new contract is historic

The contract will have no club option and just run straight through over the next seven years. It's also the largest guarantee for a pitcher with fewer than four years of service time.

And while Burns, 23, is one in the midst of his second MLB season and some could argue the Reds didn't need to rush in paying him big money, his early-career prowess may make this contract a bargain for small market Cincinnati.

Burns has emerged as one of the best young pitchers in baseball in 2026

After going 0-3 with a 4.57 ERA in 13 appearances and eight starts as a true rookie in 2025, Burns has taken his game to another level and earned his first All-Star honor this season.

Right-hander Chase Burns and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a seven-year, $105 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Burns, 23, was an All-Star this season and one of the best young pitchers in baseball. No club options. A straight deal that will run through 2033.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 16, 2026

Chase Burns is staying in Cincinnati, per multiple reports

It's the largest guarantee given to a pitcher with less than four years of service time. pic.twitter.com/fHftehLIZv
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 16, 2026

Burns holds an 11-1 record with a 2.54 ERA, 118 strikeouts and a 1.110 WHIP in 18 starts so far. His bWAR has sky rocketed from 0.2 last season to a 4.2 in 2026.

Cincinnati was banking on Burns' potential when they drafted him

And even though his ability to dominate the top hitters on the planet took a year to fully materialize, Burns' success shouldn't come as a surprise. The Reds knew what they were getting when they selected him second overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Burns was a stud during his college career

Burns entered the draft following a college career that saw him spend two years at Tennessee and one at Wake Forest. He posted a 13-5 record with 217 strikeouts in his two season with the Volunteers, highlighted by throwing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a win over Stanford in the 2023 College World Series.

Burns then truly established himself as the best pitcher in the country in 2024, going 10-1 with a 2.70 ERA and a staggering 191 strikeouts in 16 games for Wake Forest.

So now that Burns has lived up to his hype in the big leagues, it only made sense for the Reds to ensure he stays as a cornerstone of their rotation for years to come.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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