Call to the pen
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5 teams that should trade for Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds

By Noah Yingling

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 27: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 27: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Bryan Reynolds, Pirates, Dodgers, Padres, Phillies
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 17: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates before the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 17, 2022 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

3) The Cleveland Guardians

If the Cleveland Guardians were to trade for Bryan Reynolds, they have one issue that the Pirates have: they have not shown a willingness to spend money. In the last two seasons combined, they have had a payroll of about $118 million on Opening Day. However, they have spent more in recent years as they had a payroll of about $150 million in 2018. Additionally, they have been able to win (they have one losing season since 2013 and that was an 80-82 season in 2021).

Cleveland has one of the best farm systems in the game as they have six prospects on MLB.com’s Top 100 list. In other words, they could trade for Reynolds and still have a very good farm system. They have an offensive need in center field as Myles Straw hit .221 with a .564 OPS in 2022. However, Straw will be in the second year of a five-year deal (worth $25 million).

Cleveland will also have to see if Óscar González and Steven Kwan can repeat what they did in their rookie seasons. If they can’t, they should be on the phone with Pittsburgh ASAP.

4) The Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays fall into a similar category as Cleveland. For Bryan Reynolds, he would be going to a team that, likely, wouldn’t be signing him long-term, as he would like with the Pirates. They don’t spend money but like Cleveland and unlike Pittsburgh, they are perennial contenders and they could use some offensive help.

In center field, the Rays have José Siri, who had a difficult time adjusting to MLB pitching in his first full season in the majors in 2022. He hit .213 with a .607 OPS. Reynolds would be a big upgrade there.

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