It’s unlikely the Pirates would trade Bryan Reynolds to the St. Louis Cardinals given they play in the same division, but let’s grade it out.
In a recent piece by The Athletic, Jim Bowden and Rob Biertempfel discussed some potential trade packages (submitted by fans) for Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
Reynolds requested a trade a few weeks ago prior to the MLB Winter Meetings. The request was met with a stern statement from the Pirates management and GM Ben Cherington, who stated that Reynolds was under contract and thus couldn’t demand out.
However, Cherington would be unwise to ignore calls from rival GMs on Reynolds. If he wants out, why not give it to him…for the right price, of course. But just what is that price?
Pirates asking price for Bryan Reynolds is enormous
Some MLB insiders consider the Pirates asking price for Bryan Reynolds to be similar to what the Washington Nationals got for Juan Soto. Reynolds, of course, is not on part with the Juan Soto’s of the world, but that won’t stop Cherington from trying.
Pittsburgh needs an influx of prospect capital to help move along their rebuild. By trading Reynolds, they would be dealing a player they hoped would be around for the next great era of Pirates baseball.
Grading a Cardinals trade package for Bryan Reynolds
A fan sent over a trade package to The Athletic that looked a little something like this:
Pirates Get
OF, Dylan Carlson
RHP, Matthew Liberatore
RHP, Tink Hence
Cardinals Get
OF, Bryan Reynolds
Pirates trade grade: A. For Pittsburgh, acquiring a suitable replacement for Reynolds in Carlson is a good start, as they’d hope not to take a major step back there. Liberatore is a decent prospect, and one who has been ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top-100. However, his time in the major leagues hasn’t been productive thus far. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff would have to work with him on that. Tink Hence is just 20 years old and already the No. 91 prospect in all of baseball. St. Louis views him quite highly, and he’d likely be a nonstarter, especially for a team in their own division. The Pirates can dream, though.
Cardinals trade grade: C- St. Louis would take a significant step forward in their chase for a World Series by trading for Reynolds. However, losing Carlson and Liberatore — two young players they still believes in — would be tough in itself. Adding in Hence would represent a major loss for the organization, and the farm system as a whole.
Hence’s pitch velocity can touch as high as 99 MPH per statcast. He has legit No. 1 potential, if not as a top-notch closer. The Cardinals should not deal him this early in his development.