The Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Hunter Greene have agreed to a six-year, $53 million contract deal, the team announced Tuesday,
locking the hardest-throwing starter in baseball to the organization that previously had no compensation guaranteed beyond this season.
Greene, 23, made his debut last year while Cincinnati's rebuild was still in the works. The additions of starters Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft,
Along with Greene, have restored some sort of hope to an organization that last made the playoffs in 2013, excluding the COVID-shortened season.
The contract begins this season and covers Greene's free agency for two years, with a $21 million seventh-year club option that includes a $2 million buyout.
If the Reds exercise the option, Greene will be free to sign elsewhere after his 29th season.
The contract, which is the richest the Reds have ever awarded to a player before arbitration, can be worth more than $90 million with escalators.
"The commitment we made to Hunter reflects his commitment to this organization and to our community," said Reds CEO Bob Castellini.
"He is a part of the foundation of young players who will continue to help us build a successful major league team."
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