It is hard to imagine the numbers would leak, and the Pirates would be calling him up right now, if the deal was not already agreed to.
When it does become official, it will be a major win for the long-term outlook of the Pirates and their perception within the city.
For one, it is the rare instance of the Pirates paying market value for a player. Even though Griffin has yet to play a game in Major League Baseball, long-term extensions for top prospects are becoming the way things are done, and this is simply what those contracts cost.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony received an eight-year, $130 million contract a year ago. The Seattle Mariners signed shortstop Cole Emmerson to an eight-year, $95 million contract just this week.
It is the best way for teams, especially teams in the Pirates’ position, to ensure they can keep their young stars for as long as possible. You have to take a chance sometimes and risk it not working out. If it does work out, it eventually becomes a steal and a team-friendly contract.
By signing Griffin to a nine-year contract, the Pirates would not only give themselves cost certainty with him throughout his arbitration years, but they would also be buying out three years of potential free agency. Any time a prospect like this comes up through a small-market team (and especially with the Pirates), there is always an anticipation that their years with the team are just filling space before an inevitable trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Yankees within four or five years.
This would eliminate all of that talk.
It is also, in terms of real dollars, the largest contract the Pirates have ever handed out, exceeding the eight-year, $106 million contract they gave to outfielder Bryan Reynolds back in 2023.
The most important development, however, is what it means for the long-term outlook of the team on the field.
With Griffin’s arrival, the presence of reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and what could be one of the best young pitching staffs in all of baseball, the Pirates finally seem to have a potentially contending core in place. Combined with the aforementioned additions of Lowe, O’Hearn and Ozuna, and this is the most interesting Pirates team in over a decade. Their best days might still be ahead of them.