Contract extension talks between the Pirates and outfielder Bryan Reynolds have played out more or less publicly over the past five months. Yet both sides have gone silent since the negotiations hit a snag two weeks ago.

Monday, when he met with reporters for the first time since the end of spring training, general manager Ben Cherington tried a little misdirection when he was asked what’s going on with Reynolds.

“He’s playing well,” Cherington said.

Yep, we already knew that. What about his contract?

“Nothing to report,” Cherington said. “From his play, it looks like he’s focused on the season. We’re focused on supporting him. If there’s anything more to talk about, we’ll keep that between him and us.”

Plugging the leaks around the negotiations is a win for Cherington, who was visibly agitated on Opening Day when it emerged there was an impasse over Reynolds’ demand for an opt-out clause.

There’s an agreement on the financial terms, according to a major-league source: eight years, $106.75 million. That’s a win for the Pirates, who would secure Reynolds’ rights deep into his free-agent years at a team-friendly rate.

So if the Pirates are doing so much winning, why haven’t they closed the deal? The opt out is a major stumbling block. Reynolds wants the option to dissolve the deal after the 2026 season — an escape clause if the Pirates sink deep into mediocrity or if he performs well enough to get a bigger contract elsewhere.

The way he’s gotten out of the gate this season, it’s not hard to envision Reynolds getting an opportunity for a huge payday in the near future. He hit four homers in a span of 10 at-bats and was named National League player of the week on Monday.