PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A report Thursday from Audacy Baseball Insider Bob Nightengale that the Pirates have engaged in trade talks for 26-year-old All-Star centerfielder Bryan Reynolds. It's moments like these when you know there is still passion for Pirates baseball.
Just because the Pirates have engaged in talks doesn't mean they are actively looking to trade Reynolds. They hold the leverage right now and are probably looking for a Chris Archer Tampa return (Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow and Shane Baz) for Reynolds if not more. That's good business to see what is out there.
GM Ben Cherington has taken rebuilding to a level unseen under previous general manager Neal Huntington. Just stripping it down of any tradeable pieces and rebuilding with youth. They believe they have the start of a core of Major League players in the High A to AA range, meaning one, two, maybe three years away from playing in Pittsburgh. Plus, maybe the best top of the draft in Pirates history right behind that.
If that's the plan, so be it. I even agree with the premise and have discussed it as the right solution. But don't you need someone on the roster when they ascend?
Ideally, you'd want someone still under control, who is a team player. Willing to do whatever to try and win with a lead by example attitude.
"The thing I appreciate the most is accountability," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton about Reynolds in September. "The second thing is this guy plays harder than anyone in baseball."
Shelton would go on to say that 'Reynolds busts his ass' and 'when your best player every night plays like that. That's the thing that stands out'.
"My leadership style has always been by how you play, not really talking so much," Reynolds said. "I feel I've grown as a player."
When you are bringing up younger, inexperienced players. Isn't that what they need. More than the manager, these players will listen to an All-Star who brings it every night. It's not even the words, don't you want these young players watching how Reynolds goes about his business day-in and day-out?
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"The thing that stands out to me is how hard Bryan Reynolds plays on a nightly basis as much as he plays," Shelton said in September. "He impacts the game in a ton of ways. I think we've seen him get better. He just continues to play well."
"That's why he was the starting centerfielder for the All-Star team."
Then there is the production standpoint. Yes, the Pirates have some hitting prospects, but no one like Reynolds. You can't find players like this, which is what makes him so attractive. He's under control for four more seasons including this year.
Reynolds hit .302 with the last place Pirates in 2021 scoring 93 runs with 35 doubles, 8 triples (tied for MLB lead), 24 home runs, 90 RBI. His OBP .390, slugging .522 and OPS .912.
Here is how Reynolds stacks up with the other six finalists for the Silver Slugger Award, which he did not win.
Tyler O'Neill (StL)-.286/89-R/26-2B/2-3B/34-HR/80-RBI/.352 OBP/.560 SL/.912 OPS
Juan Soto (Was)-.313/111-R/20-2B/2-3B/29-HR/95-RBI/.465 OBP/.534 SL/.999 OPS
Adam Duvall (Atl)-.228/67-R/17-2B/2-3B/38-HR/113-RBI/.281 OBP/.491 SL/.772 OPS
Nick Castellanos (Cin)-.309/95-R/38-2B/1-3B/34-HR/100-RBI//362 OBP/.576 SL/.939 OPS
Bryce Harper (Phi)-.309/101-R/42-2B/1-3B/35-HR/84-RBI/.429 OBP/.615 SL/1.044 OPS
Jesse Winker (Cin)-.305/77-R/32-2B/1-3B/24-HR/71-RBI/.394 OBP/.556 SL/.949 OPS
Reynolds may not want to stay in Pittsburgh, but he doesn't have a choice until 2026. Make him an offer he can't refuse, even if it only gets him through the arbitration years and maybe you can get a plus one or two free agent seasons.
You've got the money. You've admitted the majority of your team will be the young core which will cost you pennies on the dollar compared to other MLB teams. Good business would dictate the Pirates are taking the cost savings from last year and this year and investing it so you can triple or even quadruple your payroll as players arrive in the majors.
Eventually you have to pay someone.
