Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Team Turns Away a Bryan Reynolds Suitor

The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to be active this Trade Deadline.  Who will stay and who will go?

There are a lot of changes that could come to the Pittsburgh Pirates current roster.  The team is expected to trade away multiple veteran players with Adam Frazier and Richard Rodriguez being the most likely.  However, with the Pittsburgh Pirates rebuilding there is always the possibility of more creative deals getting done by the July 30th Trade Deadline.

One player that other fanbases seem to be clamoring for is Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds.  Reynolds was named a 2021 All-Star and has 4 more years of team control, so there is a lot to like about the player.  In the same breath, the Pittsburgh Pirates have Reynolds under control for four more years, so they do not really need to entertain the idea of trading him away.

Well, just a few days ago it was reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that the Pittsburgh Pirates were not open to trading Reynolds and rather build around him.  Rosenthal wrote:

"“He is under control for four more years, and the Pirates — yes, I’m actually typing these words — intend to build around him”."

Of course, this is one of two times of the year in Baseball that “you never know”.  If a team calls the Pittsburgh Pirates and offers them something absolutely outrageous the Pittsburgh Pirates of course will make an exception. Reynolds would fall into this category of having to be “blown away”.

However, Rosenthal followed this note up with another note about the outfielder’s availability. In a more recent column, Rosenthal suggested that the Houston Astros checked in on Reynolds.  After losing George Springer this past offseason, the Astros are looking to upgrade their centerfield position.  The Astros apparently called on Reynolds along with a former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder;

"In addition to looking for bullpen help, the Astros are exploring the center-field market; MLB Network’s Jon Heyman listed them… that have checked in on the Marlins’ Starling Marte…The Astros also checked on Bryan Reynolds, who is unlikely to be traded."

Just as Ben Cherington should always pick up the phone and listen on any player, a good GM should call and check on players’ availability as well.  Even players like Reynolds will not be easily acquired if even available.

The fact that the Pittsburgh Pirates rebuffed the Houston Astros shows a couple of things.  One, they are serious about keeping Reynolds and show how much they do value him.  Two, it will take a lot of premium prospect value to acquire him, something the Houston Astros are currently lacking.  There are not many teams in Baseball who could and would be willing to meet the price for Reynolds.