For months, it has been known that Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds could be had via trade.
Of course, that doesn’t mean they are going to give him away – like they did with Shane Baz, Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, Gerrit Cole, and many others – but one would think that they would be open to discussing a reasonable trade for a player they want to extend, but have been unable to.
On Friday, MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that the club offered a six-year, $75 million contract to Reynolds, an All-Star outfielder with youth on his side and recent top-notch performance.
Then, they go out in trade negotiations and ask for blue-chip prospects and MLB-ready impact players.
Something doesn’t make sense.
“The Pirates want some insane trade package for Brian Reynolds while also presenting him an insulting six years for $75 million offer. They are not a serious franchise in any shape or form. How does that make any damn sense?” writer/filmmaker Randy Wilkins tweeted.
The Pirates want some insane trade package for Brian Reynolds while also presenting him an insulting six years for $75 million offer. They are not a serious franchise in any shape or form. How does that make any damn sense?
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) January 6, 2023
After several months of speculation that Reynolds could be swapped in the not-so-distant future, no deal has come close to what the Pirates actually want.
They are treating Reynolds like an All-Star when it’s time to listen to offers from other teams, but they are treating him like a talented rookie when it comes to negotiating an extension.
What gives?
Reynolds is talented, but is definitely not a rookie.
He doesn’t have pre-arbitration years left, so the Pirates want to buy out three arbitration years and three free agent seasons for $12.5 million per year.
That’s insanely low.
NEXT: MLB Insider Predicts A Bryan Reynolds Trade