Insider links Yankees to Pirates’ outfielder Bryan Reynolds

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette claims that the New York Yankees are “very much” interested in Bryan Reynolds of Pittsburgh. This preceded after he broke the news earlier on Saturday that the outfielder had sought a trade away from the Pirates

Jon Heyman of The New York Post had claimed that the trade request came about because the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract extension. This led to Bryan Reynolds, who is 27, asking for a trade. The outfielder is owned by the club until 2025. In 2023, he owes $6.75 million.

Justice Delos Santos of MLB.com says that the Pirates made the following statement in response to Bryan Reynold’s request:

“While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this offseason or in the future. Our goal is to improve the Pirates for 2023 and beyond. With three years until he hits free agency, Bryan remains a key member of our team. We look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates.”

Bryan Reynolds won’t be a free agent without any restrictions until 2026. Therefore, the Pirates aren’t in a hurry to replace him. But if an offer is too good to refuse, he could be on the move. Reynolds’ request to be traded comes as a bit of a surprise since he told reporters in October that he was excited to learn and grow with a young Pittsburgh team.

“It’s fun to have a consistent group that you’re playing with,” Bryan Reynolds was quoted telling by MLB.com, “Like I was saying with all the young guys, I think the future’s bright, so obviously I’m looking forward to next year and the years after that. I think we’re going to get better.”

The 27-year-old spent the first four years of his MLB career playing for the Pirates. With them, he burst into the spotlight in 2019 by finishing fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Bryan Reynolds played in 145 games in 2022 and hit .262/.345/.461 with 27 home runs, 62 RBI, and seven stolen bases. In 2021, he had his best season, hitting .302/.390/.522 with 24 home runs, 90 RBI, and five stolen bases in 159 games. This earned him a spot in the All-Star Game for the first time.

If the Yankees got Bryan Reynolds Reynolds, he would replace Harrison Bader in center field. But he could also be the team’s backup plan if they can’t re-sign Aaron Judge, who is a star outfielder.

It is not clear what the Yankees or any other team would have to do to get Reynolds. But it would probably take more than just one top prospect. In January 2018, the San Francisco Giants gave the Pittsburgh Pirates Reynolds and Kyle Crick, as well as $500,000 in international bonus slot money, in exchange for Andrew McCutchen and some cash.

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