The Pirates and Bryan Reynolds appear to be on speaking terms. The following happened on Friday during batting practice:

Pirates owner Bob Nutting approached Reynolds around the batting cage and the two shared a laugh.

Despite what has happened over the past few months, there’s a mutual respect and admiration there. It’s also true that business and trying to do what’s best for each party has clashed.

But if the Pirates and Reynolds are going to get something done, this could be how it happens, Nutting and Reynolds talking face to face, figuring out a reasonable path forward. After all, Nutting does genuinely want Reynolds here. The Pirates’ eight-year, $106.75 million should offer at least some proof of that.

“I really appreciate and respect Bryan,” Nutting told the Post-Gazette before Friday’s game. “Everybody is working really hard and continues to work really hard.

“Certainly our goal — and I think Bryan’s goal — is for him to be part of the Pirates for a long time.”

Post-Gazette.com

This could be another Aaron Judge situation, where saying no to a contract turns out to be the right move for the player. Judge was able to overcome the animosity created by the rejection, and it looks like Reynolds might also. Winning fixes a lot of ills.