CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 13: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during game one of a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park on September 13, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Bryan Reynolds trade sweepstakes is an ongoing disaster for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who now face the very real aspect of starting the season without him.
The former All-Star outfielder did say the door is open for the Pirates to agree to an extension with him, but the last time the two sides talked, they were far apart on terms.
Pittsburgh recently signed Ke’Bryan Hayes to the richest contract in franchise history — eight years and $70 million — a number that would be chump change to most organizations. The Bucs are not most organizations, however, as they are notoriously cheap under owner Bob Nutting.
Will Nutting pay up for Reynolds services? It seems unlikely given he already requested a trade from the team. It’s now up to Ben Cherington to get the best trade package in return for a player with over two years left on his current deal.
Which teams are favored for Bryan Reynolds?
The Texas Rangers and Miami Marlins were, at one point, the favorites to land Reynolds. The New York Yankees were not far behind, as they seemingly always are, due to their hole in left field which is currently held by Aaron Hicks/literally anyone else. New York needs to get better in the outfield, as it’s their one remaining roster hole. Meanwhile, the Rangers and Marlins are just curious. Texas has the kind of payroll to afford the contract Reynolds seeks. Miami, for all intents and purposes, is a mystery.
Bryan Reynolds rumors: Why not the SF Giants?
Reynolds was once a San Francisco Giants farmhand, but was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a deal that afforded them Andrew McCutchen. Oh, how the table has turned.
McCutchen has returned to Pittsburgh, and Reynolds could be on his way out. Cutch commented on how strange it is to play with the player he was traded for in his first go-around with the Bucs. Odds are, the two will get used to it if Reynolds is around long enough.
“I’m looking at him like, ‘You were here and I was gone. Now, we’re here together. It’s crazy,’” McCutchen said, per The Athletic. “It’s cool to get this opportunity and have it work out that way.”
What would a Giants trade for Bryan Reynolds look like?
Giants Get
OF, Bryan Reynolds
Pirates Get
LHP, Kyle Harrison
RHP, Landen Roupp
The Pirates could land two pitching prospects from the Giants for Reynolds, but Harrison is the real prize. Harrison is a left-handed pitcher and one of the 20 best prospects in all of baseball. While San Francisco would rather not trade him at all, the Pirates asking price is rather high.
Is it worth it, Giants fans?