Pirates
Bryan Reynolds Drawing Significant Trade Interest
Unsurprisingly, All-Star center fielder Bryan Reynolds is drawing “significant interest” on the trade market, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Morosi lists the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees as two teams interested in Reynolds.
#Pirates All-Star CF Bryan Reynolds is drawing significant interest in the trade market, with the #Yankees and #Mariners among potential suitors, but the team feels no pressure to move him. He won’t be a free agent until after 2025, and an extension remains possible. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 11, 2021
The Pirates asking price for Reynolds is in all likelihood astronomical as in addition to being named an All-Star, Reynolds was a Gold Glove finalist and remains a candidate to take home a Silver Slugger award. Reynolds emerged as one of the game’s top players in 2021, a year in which he hit .302 with a .912 OPS with career highs in home runs (24), RBIs (90) and hits (169). His eight triples was tied with Shohei Ohtani for the Major League lead.
It’s no surprise to see Seattle as one of the team’s interested in Reynolds, as the Mariners and Pirates reportedly discussed a deal involving him during the trade deadline. It was Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times who reported the Pirates asked for top prospect Julio Rodriguez, a 20-year-old outfielder in return. The Yankees have a need for a center fielder and Ben Cherington and Brian Cashman have swung a couple trades during Cherington’s tenure as GM for the Bucs. The Phillies, Guardians, Mets and Giants – the team the Pirates acquired Reynolds from, are among the other teams who could have interest in the Bucs’ center fielder.
Morosi also noted that there is no urgency for the Pirates to move Reynolds who is under club control for four more seasons. The Pirates are expected to explore extension talks with Reynolds during this offseason and Pittsburgh could opt to keep the All-Star in the black and gold for the foreseeable future. It’s entirely possible that the front office views Reynolds as a key piece for when the team is ready to compete again down the road.
It surely won’t be the last time we hear Reynolds’ name this offseason. Between trade interest and extension talks, he is one guy who will certainly generate a lot of buzz this winter. Overall, it is a relatively thin free agent market for center field with Starling Marte viewed as the only difference making everyday option. Reynolds will be one of the hottest names on the trade market this winter – that is, if he is even available at all.