Would this San Diego Padres-Pittsburgh Pirates trade really work?

The San Diego Padres are in need of an offensive boost. The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the most desired potential trade chips in Major League Baseball in outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Could the two teams work out a deal that would send Reynolds to San Diego?

Could this fan-driven hypothetical deal between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates involving Bryan Reynolds be one that would work in real life?

In this article, we continue our look at some fan-suggested trade ideas that appeared recently in an article in The Athletic. In the article (subscription required), former MLB general manager invited fans to send in suggestions for trades and then he would give his thoughts on some of the submissions.

We have previously looked at a potential deal between the Detroit Tigers and Oakland A’s involving Matt Chapman, as well as another deal with the A’s sending Chris Bassitt to the Seattle Mariners. Now, we’ll turn our attention to a suggested trade that, in theory, could benefit both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres.

Here is the Pirates-Padres trade that was suggested by a fan:

The Pirates would also receive minor league right-hander Victor Lizarraga in the swap as well. The 18-year-old was 0-4 last season for San Diego’s Arizona Complex League team and logged a 5.10 ERA in 11 starts (30 innings).

So that’s five players in all going from San Diego to Pittsburgh in exchange for Reynolds, who was elected to his first All-Star Game last season after hitting an MLB-high eight triples and posting a .302/.390/.522 slash line in 559 at-bats. Under team control through the 2025 season, the 26-year-old Reynolds would certainly fit in well in San Diego’s outfield for the foreseeable future and provide some of the offense needed by a Padres team that finished below the MLB average in batting average (.242), runs per game (4.5), and home runs (180) in 2021.

Would the price for Bryan Reynolds in this proposed trade be too high?

Simply put, yes. It doesn’t seem logical that the Padres (who saw their starting pitching completely collapse in the second half of 2021 because of injuries and poor performances) would be keen on surrendering MacKenzie Gore, the third overall pick in the 2017 draft and a pitcher who is rated as San Diego’s fourth-highest prospect and likely to make his MLB debut this season.

Perhaps swapping out another prospect for Gore (such as starter Ethan Elliott, currently 12th among Padres prospects) would be enough?

Another question is the inclusion of Weathers, knowing the Padres (at this stage of the lockout, and this could change with any signings once transactions resume) will need arms with Major League experience in 2022. While Weathers struggled last season (5.32 ERA and almost two home runs surrendered per nine innings, with the biggest part of those struggles coming in the second half when San Diego’s postseason chances were imploding), that experience could certainly help him get back on track in 2022. It’s a roll of the dice, but a possibility that the Padres will likely take based on his 2.91 ERA in his first 17 appearances.

Wood is San Diego’s fifth-ranked prospect, while Kopps is 25th.

So what do you think of this fan-generated trade idea? Is it too much from the Padres side? Would you take it if you’re a Pirates fan? Did me suggesting Gore come out of the deal make it one not worth doing for the Pirates? Let us know your thoughts and what you’d do to make the trade better in the comments section below.