Bryan Reynolds has been at the center of MLB trade speculation all off-season.
He originally requested a trade away from Pittsburgh all the way back at the beginning of December, in which the Pirates responded they have no intention of trading him.
Many rival executives believe Reynolds will stay with the Bucs until at least the summer trade deadline mainly because the asking price is seemingly too high right now.
Jon Heyman reported are that the team is seeking a 'Juan Soto' like package for the center fielder.
Reynolds is still young at 27-years-old and under club control until 2025 which has made him an enticing piece for many competing teams.
With all that said, it's still highly possible B-Rey goes this year, so let's check out some realistic packages that could push the move through.
Yankees: OF Bryan ReynoldsPirates: SS Oswald Peraza (MLB #50/Yankee #3), RHP Luis Gil (Yankee #10), RHP Richard Fitts (Yankee #29), and OF Estevan Florial
Oswald PerazaThomas Shea-USA TODAY SportsThe Yankees have been the most open in their pursuit of Reynolds and definitely are a favorite to make the jump for him. The Pirates have outlined they want at least one of the Yankees top 3 prospects (Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, or Peraza).
This deal gives Pirates a lot of major league ready talent to improve on their young core with Peraza, who hit .306 with 1 HR in a short 18 game stint in the majors last season. Gil already has 7 Major League start under his belt with a 3.78 ERA.
Fitts posted a 3.70 ERA over 22 starts between A and High-A in his first full season along with former top prospect Florial, who hasn't really been given the chance to prove himself at the major league level. But, the 25-year-old hit .283 with 15 HRs in AAA.
Rangers: OF Bryan Reynolds, SS Rodolfo CastroPirates: OF Evan Carter (MLB #56/Rangers #3), RHP Owen White (MLB #59/Rangers #4), and 3B Ezequiel Duran
Ezequiel DuranJerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsThe Rangers are on the verge of finally being a contender again with a consistent outfielder being the only thing left on their checklist to having a stellar lineup. They've been super competitive in the free agent market the past two off-seasons adding big names like Seager, Semien, DeGrom, and Eovaldi. So why not be aggressive in the trade market?
This deal sees the pirates get two of their top prospects in what is a deep farm system. Carter had a breakout season in the minors last year hitting .298 with 12 HRs and 28 SBs. Scouts see him as a five-tool player that could tear up the majors when the 20-year-old gets there.
White looks like an MLB ready pitcher who had a 3.59 ERA and 104 Ks between High-A and AA last season; he recently dominated in the AFL earlier this off-season. It also gives the Pirates utility man Duran who made his debut last season hitting .236 with 5 HRs in 58 games, but has been a consistent on-base and speed threat throughout his time in the minors.
Dodgers: OF Bryan ReynoldsPirates: 2B/OF Michael Busch (MLB #42/Dodgers #4), OF Jonny DeLuca (Dodgers #27), and RHP Dustin May
Dustin MayOrlando Ramirez-USA TODAY SportsThe Dodgers have a weak outfield right now as it stands. They have their star Mookie Betts projected to play alongside Chris Taylor and Trayce Thompson. It only seems like logical sense for the Dodger dynasty to make one of their big moves yet again, this time for Reynolds.
This would be a big haul for the Pirates if they pulled this one off. Michael Busch would be the centerpiece of the deal for the Bucs after he had a monster year in the minors, hitting a .274 AVG, 32 HRs, and totaling 108 RBIs. He's more than major league ready and would be the front runner for the starting 2B job coming into the season most likely.
They also pick up DeLuca, a consistent hitting outfielder that's probably still at least a year away from the majors, but averages around a .262 AVG and 22 HRs per season in the minors so far. Dustin May would also be another huge get for the Pirates. Yes, he has been very injury prone the past couple of seasons. But, if he can remain healthy, I believe he can be an All-Star level talent and be a force at the top of the Bucs' rotation. He owns a career 3.26 ERA in 37 games and BAA of .217.
All in all, would it be great for Reynolds to stay? Yes. I don't want to see him go anywhere, he's the teams best player and a fan favorite. But, the man is in his prime right now and wants to compete. So if he walks, hopefully the Bucs can come away with some serious talent in return.
