Several media outlets have reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates are getting several inquiries about their top outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
Reynolds was brilliant in 2021, ranking tenth in MLB in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) with 5.5.
He slashed .302/.390/.522 with 24 homers, 93 runs, and 90 RBI this season.
However, he is very, very unlikely to move because he would be a very costly acquisition: he is young (26), good, and controllable for four additional seasons at a reasonable salary.
Price tag on Pirates star CF Bryan Reynolds is thought “astronomical.” It probably should be. Outstanding two-way player with years to go before free agency. Yankees, Marlins, Phillies and many others looking at CF.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 11, 2021
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to see him in another uniform before spring training.
These teams could be potential fits for him.
3. Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners have some outfield depth, but outside of Mitch Haniger (39 home runs, .253/.318/.485 line in 2021), they don’t have any healthy, established stars back there.
Of course, we are tempted to say that 2020 American League Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis (knee injury) and Jarred Kelenic will be healthy and take a step forward, but it’s not a given.
For a team looking for star-level players, acquiring someone like Reynolds would be a huge step toward the playoffs.
It won’t be easy, though.
As we have stated, Reynolds is just too good, young, and has too many team control years left to be considered cheap.
Quite the opposite: reports indicate the Pirates would only consider moving him for a king’s ransom.
The Mariners have the prospects (Emerson Hancock, George Kirby, Noelvi Marte, Julio Rodriguez) and the young major leaguers (Kelenic, Lewis, J.P. Crawford, Justin Dunn) to put together a good package.
Will they do it?
Would Pittsburgh listen?
2. New York Yankees
After declining their option with Brett Gardner and waiving both Greg Allen and Tim Locastro, the New York Yankees’ center field depth took a hit.
Projected starter Aaron Hicks is the only name on the depth chart at the position as of now, and he missed four months of the 2021 campaign with a wrist injury.
Center field is a position that the Yankees should address, and they have been linked with Reynolds in the past.
They are also one of the teams interested in the dynamic outfielder now.
It’s difficult to see the Pirates dealing Reynolds if the Yankees don’t include their top two prospects, Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe, and so far, they have been reluctant to discuss their names in trade negotiations as a whole, not just for Reynolds.
However, if the Yankees miss out on the top free agent center fielders like Starling Marte or Chris Taylor, they could theoretically pivot to Reynolds.
1. Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians don’t often make huge free agent acquisitions because of their budget.
However, they do need to overhaul that lousy outfield: Myles Straw, Harold Ramirez, and Bradley Zimmer all have their strengths, but the group as a whole won’t go very far.
Straw is fine at center field, but the other two spots could very well use an upgrade.
Reynolds, Straw, and a platoon bat would be ideal for the #Guardians. https://t.co/HIiFpD42ao
— Pep (@RobPep12) November 11, 2021
Reynolds played mostly center in 2021, and was acceptable there, but is better at the corners.
As all free agents will likely be out of the Guardians’ range, they probably would be better off trading for an impact outfielder.
Reynolds is that, and then some.
Pittsburgh could really some an injection of pitching talent in the majors and upper minors, and the Guardians employ, besides Shane Bieber, young guns Triston McKenzie, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Cal Quantrill, Logan Allen, Eli Morgan, Ethan Hankins, and more.
There could be a match.
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