New Delhi, July 17 -- The Cincinnati Reds have locked in one of baseball's brightest young arms for the long haul. All-Star right-hander Chase Burns and the club have agreed on a seven-year, $105 million contract extension. The deal keeps the 23-year-old star in Cincinnati through the 2033 season and stands as the largest ever given to a pitcher who has yet to reach arbitration.

The extension buys out two free-agent years and contains no club options. At $105 million guaranteed, it ranks as the third-largest contract in the Reds franchise history. Only Joey Votto's 10-year, $225 million pact and Ken Griffey Jr.'s nine-year, $116.5 million deal sit higher. Burns is earning $785,000 in the current season, making the new deal a massive jump...