Bryan Reynolds’ future with Pittsburgh Pirates still uncertain

Bryan Reynolds has been one of the hotter names when it comes to trade rumors over the past year. As the Pittsburgh Pirates are still rebuilding, it makes sense that teams would be looking to acquire anything possible from the organization. Reynolds would certainly be an upgrade for most teams, especially given the dearth of options in center field.

To this point, the Pirates have resisted all offers for Reynolds. It makes sense – if they are going to emerge from their rebuild, they will need to identify those players that can be a part of the next contending team. Reynolds would seem to fit that mold.

Pittsburgh Pirates yet to provide clarity with Bryan Reynolds

However, the Pirates’ intentions with Reynolds are uncertain. He stated that the Pirates had not reached out regarding an extension prior to the lockout, although that just may not be a priority at this point. After all, he is under team control for another four years, giving Pittsburgh plenty of time to see if an extension makes sense financially.

This would seem to be the time to discuss a long term deal. Reynolds had the best season of his young career, posting a .302/.390/.522 batting line in his 646 plate appearances, hitting 35 doubles and 24 homers. He made his first All Star Game last year, and as he just turned 27 years old, would seemingly be entering the prime of his career.

There are issues with such a deal however. The Pirates are a team that simply does not spend, with their $60 million contract given to Jason Kendall during the 2000-01 offseason still the largest deal in team history. Kendall did not even play out that entire contract in Pittsburgh, being sent to the A’s on November 27, 2004.

But there comes a time when that will have to change. The Pirates have the vestiges of a decent core, especially if they keep Reynolds on board. Given his production and relative youth, there is no reason not to.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had yet to discuss an extension with Bryan Reynolds before the lockout. This should be a priority going forward.