The trade market hasn’t gotten rolling in full just yet, with many teams focused on the draft and some borderline clubs waiting to see how the current roster performs for a bit longer before adding or subtracting from the mix. At 14 games under .500 with a -129 run differential and a 10-game deficit even in the Wild Card hunt, the Pirates aren’t going to be under any delusions about contending in the current season. That doesn’t mean they’ll tear the entire roster down, however, and Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports that Pittsburgh has already rejected “tempting” offers for both center fielder Bryan Reynolds and closer David Bednar.
Reynolds and Bednar are the team’s highest-profile players (and thus likely to be the most frequently speculated-upon by fans and pundits over the next three weeks), but it’s long seemed unlikely that either would be moved. Reynolds is on a two-year deal covering the 2022-23 seasons and is then arbitration-eligible for another year before he’ll become a free agent after the 2025 season. The Pirates have turned away interest in him for more than a year now. Bednar, meanwhile, has a whopping four seasons of club control remaining beyond the current year — and being a Pittsburgh native certainly makes him a bit more marketable to the fan base. Although Reynolds and Bednar have already been the focus of some talks with other clubs, Biertempfel suggests that a deal involving either player remains unlikely. (USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported over the weekend that the Bucs have told teams that Bednar, in particular, will not be traded this year.)
Both players have performed well in 2022, and both could be key pieces when the Pirates take more aggressive strides to emerge from this rebuilding effort. The 27-year-old Reynolds had a dismal start to the season, slashing an uncharacteristic .202/.301/.345 in 136 plate appearances through May 16. In 208 plate appearances since that time, he’s hitting .299/.370/.543 with 11 homers, eight doubles and a pair of triples — right in line with the production you’d expect based on his output from 2019-21. A potential injury further diminishes the chances that Reynolds could be moved, though the team has yet to formally provide an update on his status today.
Bednar, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the NL’s best relievers since coming over from the Padres in the Joe Musgrove trade. In 101 2/3 innings with the Bucs since Opening Day 2021, the 27-year-old has a 2.39 ERA with a 33% strikeout rate, a 7.8% walk rate, 18 saves and 17 holds. His 15.7% swinging-strike rate in that time is tied for 11th among 146 qualified relievers in that time.
Various reports over the past year have illustrated just how high Pittsburgh’s asking price on Reynolds has been. The Miami Herald reported in March that the Pirates asked the Marlins for a package headlined by recent first-rounders Kahlil Watson and Max Meyer over the winter (in addition to other piece). The Seattle Times reported last October that the Pirates’ asking price from the Mariners last July began with Julio Rodriguez.
Requests of that nature are the reason that Reynolds and Bednar occupied the final two spots on MLBTR’s Top 50 trade candidate rankings last week, as opposed to more prominent listing that would be commensurate with their talent and potential impact. It’s always possible that a team absolutely overwhelms the Pittsburgh front office, but the far likelier outcome is that the Bucs move some veterans with minimal team control remaining (e.g. Jose Quintana, Ben Gamel).
‘When the Pirates take more aggressive strides’ strikes me as an optimistic outlook.
The keyword is “more.” Because they haven’t taken any in the last five or six years, even a small one would be more aggressive.
IMVHO, trade both. RPs have a lot of variance. Right now, Bednar looks close to top-tier, but he could easily become one of the many RPs that have lost jobs this year. Reynolds is real good, but he’ll be gone by the time PT is ready to compete.
100% trade Bednar, you hit it on the head with the variance of relief pitchers. Take the biggest and best package for him.
Reynolds, I’m not too sure about. They have prospects that are 1-3 years out. Henry Davis, Nick Gonzalez, Liover Peguero, in the rotation you’ll have Preister and (if he ever figures out command) Jared Jones, plus whoever they take this year in the draft (either Elijah Green or Brooks Lee would be ideal). So now you have all your prospects coming up with an in-his-prime Bryan Reynolds similar to the Orioles with Cedric Mullins. Sign a 1B in the offseason and for the love of gosh get some pitching .
If they trade Reynolds now for a package of lets say the Marlins one of Watson and Meyer, you’re pushing the timeline back 4-5 years and you’re banking one hitting a home run with a prospect that can fill the hole in the OF left by Reynolds. At some point you have to stop pushing the rebuild back and think about competing.
Yup. I’m closer to 50/50 on Reynolds. He’s unlikely to collapse, and there is an argument to be made for keeping fan favorites. And you do need a player for the prospects to coalesce around (I’m thinking a guy like Mancini on the O’s),
I’m with you on trading both, think these two can be the last big pieces to move for a prospect haul to finish the rebuild. I’d trade Bednar at the deadline but I’d wait to move Reynolds until the offseason. Gotta love seeing Bednar take a huge leap forward with his game but if you can move a guy who was the third or fourth piece of the Musgrove trade for another 3 or 4 quality prospects just a year and a half later that’s a huge win for the organization.
They are ready to compete next year. Team looks decent now. Take away the abs they gave to tucker and continue to give to Yoshi and VanMeter (who is improved but took a month of being awful to get to this point). They have some interesting arms in minors that are ready for a look yet we had to endure Banda Hembree etc.
All for trading both though. I don’t feel like a team will part with enough to make it happen though.
Why is it the “best” players are always those who have not played in the majors? Prospects! Prospects! Prospects! I’m so tired of prospects. Here the Pirates have a couple of guys who are producing. . . and people want to trade them for what/-more prospects who haven’t produced a thing. And even if those prospects eventually produce, the Pirates are still going to have trouble keeping them because they’ll want to get paid the big bucks. What then? I know. Trade them for . . . prospects! And the best goes on.
*beat
realsox
Lol. The same nonsense is constantly posted by Phillies fans on MLBTR and other places – Trade Nola for prospects!! Trade Hoskins for prospects!! Trade (fill in name) for prospects!! In the last 20 years, the Phillies have gotten exactly 1 ‘prospect’ who has somewhat produced (Zach Eflin), and even he is questionable. Nick Williams and Tommy Joseph had some success, but soon faded away. The other great ‘prospects’ acquired turned out to be the likes of Philippe Aumont…Enyel de Los Santos…Ben Lively…Jake Thompson…Jerad Eickhoff…Darnell Sweeney…Tom Windel…the list goes on
I really do understand why the Bucs want to get top prospects back for Reynolds and Bednar. Reynolds definitely interests the Yankees I can see them offering lefty Waldichuk, power righty Luis Medina, and Everson Pereira back to the Pirates. Pirate fans what would you’d like back for Reynolds? Lmk and thnx.
if they started with Julio with Seattle. Then they’d certainly ask the Yanks for Dominguez and Volpe. Yanks won’t get Reynolds unless there is another team and even then, I don’t see many trade chips Yanks have that others want. I’d prefer Benintendi and the package you put maybe minus one piece could land him. I think Reynolds is great but the price is too high for what he brings to the table.
@jopeness- hey I hear you. Just keep in mind Andrew Benintendi is just a 2 month rental. JP Spears, Randy Vasquez, and Everson Pereira and yes Joey Gallo back to KC to match salary. Lolololololol!!! Thanks for your thoughts.
Dominguez and or Volpe aren’t going to the Pirates for Reynolds….he’s a nice player but that’s a HUGE over reach as far as fair trade is concerned (the Babe he’s not)…..and as far as the Yankees not having the trade chips that others have, then why does every trade conversation start with either of the 2 shortstops….Volpe and Peraza, and/or Dominguez, Waldichuk etc……the Yankees farm probably is top 10, maybe not as full as the top 5, but certainly they have the trade chips if they choose to make a trade for something they need…..personally, I think they should concentrate on pitching…especially since Judge is playing a more than adequate CF which opens up opportunities for the rest of the outfield.
the conversation starts with Dominguez or there’s no conversation.
@ronnsnow- ok thank you, then no conversation. Dominguez is staying put for now.
Lol Yankee fans love creating hypothetical trades for star players without giving up talent. Clowns
@mrnotsoniceguy- Yankee fans not giving up any talent? Why not review the Yankees prospect list lst. Lol. Seems like their is a lot of talent going back. So do your homework.
Only way yanks trade Dominguez and volpe is if Juan Soto is the return. NYY can sign Soto to ext 10+ years and let judge walk after yanks get #28 championship
@yanks_aaronx3- not so fast bro. You’re definitely close though. Dominguez, Peraza, Schmidt, Waldichuk, Randy Vasquez, JP Spears and Everson Pereira, then the $460 million extension for 13 years after the trade. Lolololololol! Lmk
That’s not even close to enough for Soto it would take those two plus probably 2 or 3 more high end prospects
@Bruin1012- no that’s way plenty for Soto. Not sure if you really noticed, probably not. Juan Soto has not had a very good year. He still is one of the best in the game. Just a bad season for him.
Bye….”starts” is a bit humorous……then accept something else from another team…….you seem to think Reynolds is a real difference maker something like Mookie Betts ……..maybe or maybe not……his contract status withstanding, the Yankees aren’t biting on that offer.
You must have missed the pet of the article that mentioned Seattle talks began with Julio Rodriguez. The Battlin’ Bucs wouldn’t even pick up the phone for that offer.
@louwhitakerisahofer- lol, well if that’s the case then the Pirates need they’re heads examined. And yes, Lou Whitaker definitely belongs in the Hall Of Fame! One of my favorite players watching baseball as a kid. Lou and Trammel we’re top notch at 2nd and short.
Nothing. We want to keep Reynolds and this team is ready to compete next year for at least a wildcard. Bae Davis Priester and Burrows will hopefully be up this time next season. Trading Reynolds and Bednar sets us back.
@Gterm- thanks for sharing. I definitely understand, and that totally makes sense from a fans standpoint.
Ready to compete next year? There’s optimism and then there’s, “did you take your meds today?” Your prediction falls closer to the latter.
You’re entitled to your opinion. I guess we’ll see next season.
I think they are on the right track but they are too early on in the rebuild. No way they can completely flip the script from this years record to a winning one in that time. Better teams have tried by spending huge in free agency and failed and I don’t see the Pirates spending big. With patience they’ll be good in a couple years.
I agree. At some point, the team has to stop trading good young talent for potential. I don’t see them competing for a wild card in 23, but with a break, perhaps 24.
The Yankees would be foolish to empty the farm for any one player. They should stick to shorter term players that are relatively affordable (prospectwise).
Just think about what could happen if they did make a deal. Volpe, Dominguez, Waldichuk or Sears plus others would be gone. Then they find that Reynolds doesn’t handle NY well or gets an injury. There’s just too much risk for not nearly enough return. The Yankees can afford higher priced players and should take that route.
@Joe Agreed. It’s too much to give up for one player. This year the Yankees are averaging 5.23 runs per game while giving up 3.17 runs – a sizeable gap. Having Reynolds increases output marginally. I’m more concerned how innings limitation on Severino and Cortes will effect the bullpen along with Taillon’s recent struggles. Chapman is also a enigma right now.
Especially if that player is Reynolds….he’s a nice player but really….he’s not Willy Mays in disguise…….
rocky7:
You’re significantly undervaluing Reynolds’ trade value. It isn’t only about performance numbers. Trade value takes things like age, years of team control, and salary into account. Mookie Betts is a better player than Reynolds, but the Pirates wouldn’t trade Reynolds for Betts. And not just because Betts doesn’t fit their window. Reynolds has a higher trade value than Betts.
I agree somewhat Joe. Reynolds has a lot of trade value. More than Volpe and Dominguez combined have at this point in time. That’s according to the trade simulator. And even if the simulator is off, by 10% it’s still not enough. But the Yankees would be stupid to make that trade.
It’s why I don’t expect to see Reynolds going anywhere. In a way, though his value isn’t anywhere what Soto’s is, he’s similar, since no team is going to trade what it would take in top prospect value to get either one.
I would want Dominguez, Waldichuk and 1 more decent piece.
@espera77- if you take other top prospects back instead of Dominguez. I can definitely see a trade happening. Ken Waldichuk, Hayden Wesneski, Randy Vasquez, Everson Pereira and Alexander Vargas would definitely work for Bryan Reynolds. Not much more than that though.
Depending on other potential pieces involved, Dominguez shouldn’t be totally off limits in potential discussions for Reynolds. I’m not saying it’s a sure fire/slam dunk that they should move Dominguez, but a player such as Reynolds with 3 more years of team control would be the type of player that you should be able to at least consider parting with Dominguez for… HOWEVER, I would try for a combo of Peraza/Pereira over Dominguez if possible.
I think you’re on the right track here if Dominguez and Volpe are off limits because it’s gonna take at least 5-7 guys if those two aren’t available. That said I think a better move for the Yankees would be to target a rental outfielder and starter at the deadline and focus on bigger long term moves in the offseason. Using the Pirates as an example going for Jose Quintana and Ben Gamel might be more prudent than emptying the farm at the trade deadline this year. Your team is great this year just patch up some minor holes and see what they can do in the playoffs.
MurderersRow27:
Dominguez alone isn’t close to what it would take to get Reynolds.
Andujar AND Frazier or we trade him to the Mets for Smith and Davis.
Dominguez, Wells, and top there pitchers below AA.
If you can get a top 100 prospect that is working their way up the list and not down I’d move Bednar in a heartbeat.
Reliver performance is so touch and go even some of the greatest relievers in recent memory struggled like Kimbrel for example. Bednar is far from Kimbrel in his prime.
But if you can get a top 100 guy, specifically a starting pitcher where the pirates organization is thin on, I’d do that ASAP.
Reynolds, unless the price stays wildly high I’d keep him. He is worth much more playing every day than a reliver playing 50-70 innings.
A straight up Gallo for Reynolds trade wasn’t going to cut it.
They will throw in Andujar if you include Bednar lol.
Don’t forget Clint Frazier.
@Nevrfolow- in case you missed it Jackson Frazier is no longer a Yankee.
I noticed that prospects are rarely being traded anymore by most MLB teams. NYY have a few prospects to bring back good players but Cashman will not trade them. Why should a team trade away a good player for fringe prospects? We will see what happens at the trade deadline but right now most contending teams are holding on to their prospects.
I’m always up for a good rebuild, but the opposite of the rebuild is moving all-in occasionally. It’s a delicate balance.
Notice how not 1 top 30 prospect been moved lately. Teams are just being reluctant to trade prospects. So many team that could leap up in the playoffs are still holding on to their best minor leaguers. Trade deadline could be fun or very boring if they refuse to trade.
Good and great prospects have been traded like crazy. Look at SD and CHI farm now vs few years ago. Yahoo Olson or Berrios or Scherzer trade.
They’ll ask too much, fail to trade either and regret it in the future. It’s how they operate.
How do you ask for to much? The guy is one of the top CFs in the game and why is it ridiculous to ask for a teams top prospect and others when there is no guarantee any will actually work out?
He’s NOT one of the top CF’s, that’s a ridiculous statement. He’s good, has a short history of being very good and that’s it. He’s not Clemente, so stop acting like he is. A top prospect and some mid level ones is all he’s worth and let’s check back in 1000 more PA and reevaluate. I’m confident he’s more likely to be Cody Bellinger 20-22 than 2019.
Roberto played right field, 12 consecutive gold glove awards
Comparing anyone to Clemente is crazy
Reynolds is the best centerfielder in the National League. That isn’t even debatable. He has the most trade value of anyone possibly on the market, not named Soto.
NL? What does it matter what league he plays for? The Pirates history is to either wait too long to make a move or make a bad move. Time will tell with path they take this time.
They aren’t asking for anything. Teams are asking them and they are telling them we have no interest in trading them unless you give us something ridiculous.
Senioreditor:
No they won’t ask for too much for Reynolds, they’ll ask for what he’s worth, which is more than the Yankees will want to pay.
And in case you didn’t notice guys that can play CF are in short supply/high demand right now.
Definitely trading Reynolds is a no go….but if you can get a haul for bednar.. I’m all for it.
He’s been ineffective lately…I think he’s being overused
Relievers are fickle from year to year. If a good offer shows up for Bednar, trade him.
I can’t see a Reynolds trade happening anytime soon for a multitude of reasons. The Pirates have a very high asking price, and rightfully so, and any acquiring team would likely want him to sign a long term extension as part of the deal or at least soon after. There are also questions about Reynolds’ ability to stick in CF long term and a move would decrease his value. My guess is that the Pirates will wait until his last year of control then reevaluate
Reynolds is an outstanding defensive centerfielder. He will play centerfield for many years to come, barring injury. That, coupled with his team control through 2025, is what makes him so valuable.
There aren’t any questions about his defense long term. As prototypical as a cf gets.
Reynolds has a negative grade by measure of DRS, OOA, and UZR this year. He had been a good CF to this point but those numbers indicate he’s trending downward
Yea those numbers at his age say he’s a right fielder in a couple years.
Those defensive ratings are useless and a joke. Teams wouldn’t be thirsty for him if he wasn’t a good cf. No team gives those ratings any merit.
Every team has their own internal proprietary metrics to rate defense that are similar to those. Remember when owners proposed during the lockout to use fWAR to determine future salaries for some players? You don’t have to believe in any of them but they do have merit and effect how players are evaluated by front offices.
Well, I’m talking about the future which has nothing to do with why teams want him now. That he’ll move to a corner in three or four years has no effect on his present value so it’s a moot point. (And OBVIOUSLY MLB teams aren’t using bRef to evaluate teams, yes they have their own, much more complex and specific methods).
No, I can assure you they’re pretty accurate. It would be one thing if Reynolds was only grading as a negative in one of the three but all three being negative paints a pretty clear picture that he’s played poorly in CF
Pirates extend Reynolds, not trade him. The man is the face of the franchise. The best player on the team and one of the best in MLB. You build around him not trade him hoping some prospect pans out. Reynolds is proven. These prospects being named are maybe’s at best. Now the guy Id toss out there in a heart beat to be triad material is Hayes. Don’t think you would get much but a club in a stretch run may want a good glove, 240’s hitter with little power as a platoon. Hayes is under contract.
Every team would love to have Hayes and that contract. Pirates would love to trade Reynolds and likely will. They have zero interest in extending him at the figure he is looking for.
I am always been a believer of teams that are not in contention is for them to trade their closer. A good closer is not doing you any good if your a lousy team. You trade them and get as much as you can while their value is high.
Teams haven’t been willing to pay enough for them though.
I understand the argument about relievers being fickle, but I still feel that Bednar should be an exception for the Pirates. He’s good enough to build a bullpen around, and with several plus pitches I give him a good chance to stay effective down the road. As long as Shelton doesn’t turn his arm to mush.
He’s got a dawg mentality you love to see in closers, and he’s also a local kid. That’s important for the fanbase. The bullpen is probably the biggest problem for the long term Pirates as it stands, and he’s arguably the most irreplaceable piece on the whole pitching staff.
Bullpen is fine. Lots of prospects coming. They will get a few dfa guys and improve them.
Trade neither. Period. Commit to the completion of the rebuild. Yesterday should be a clear rationale, with Hayes, Chavis and Cruz leading the way
So many other young players are on the cusp of bringing this franchise back to respectability
Trade or DFA all of the castoffs, the deadwood and guys like Quintana and Gamel. But don’t take two huge steps backward and again prolong the process from reaching fruition
True but if you add MLB ready top specs like CJ Abrams + Campusano and get 2 arms a little further down the line like #19 Efrain Contreras etc from say San Diego for Reynolds why not upgrade 2 positions for 2023 vs one with Reynolds…with a chance for more down the road…Reynolds is going to get too expensive for Pitt in a yr or 2..and then will get a little token haul of secondary specs for a 2month rental..vs 6 yrs of control for “could be” superstar specs like CJ and Co..just saying
All good points, Henry, but all too often the common sense trade proposals that materialize here just aren’t what actually transpires. Instead, you get perhaps the blue chipper you write of—a guy who is almost at the “ready” level—and another prospect or three who’ll end up at AA, at best
Here’s the point. Cherington has done a fine job of stocking the minors at almost every position. We’re starting to see the benefits of previous trades now and for the first time in many years, many fans are starting to embrace some enthusiasm for the future. While you may very well be right about the possible return, you’re taking a chance that at the moment, doesn’t need to be taken.
Henry:
As good a package as Abrams, Campusano, Contreras, plus another arm farther down, is, it’s still not enough to get Reynolds. They would have to add somebody like Merrill, and the Pirates might still turn that down.
At this point teams should just go get Trout if the ask for Reynolds is this crazy add a Prospect or 2 and GO BIG TROUT fishing…
LAA need to free up (10/$500mil) for Othani and what better way than Trout…get 5 or 6 too specs ready soon types and go places… Trout not playing post season ball is a crime..
SDP ready to step up CJ Abrams + Hassell III + Campusano + Wethers +++++.Lets Go!
He has a full no trade clause so he will have to accept any trade and he may not be willing to be traded.
San Diego is 40 min south of his home lol.. why wouldn’t he go to a possible post season team.. he doesn’t have to move if he goes to LAD maybe (longer drive more traffic) but SD is basically his backyard..also Phillies (his childhood team) not saying he wouldn’t veto NYM or NYY but at least LAD/SDP and Phillies would be ok (or so I think ) with Trout
Doesn’t matter anyway the Angels simply are not going to trade Trout.
Poverty Franchise
Why not trade someone you KNOW you’re not going to resign when the time is right?????
Why waste everyone’s time with BS counterproposals just to give the illusion that you’re committed to winning…when everyone knows you’re not.
I would agree, if they KNEW they weren’t extending him. But only they would know that at this point, it’s not a known fact that they won’t. The only player they’re committed to financially long term is Hayes, and that’s at <$10M/yr. They absolutely have room to pay Reynolds if they wish to.
Run differential is irrelevant with the Pirates. If they get behind by more than 2 runs they will bring it their weakest relievers who are soon to be dfa. After that the position players come in. This management only cares about developing players.
Trade neither. If anything extend Reynolds If that happens though it probably would be in or after 2023 seeing how the rebuild pans out.
Well of course there is always the case where someone offers a 21 year old mike Trout.. in which case…. yeah… you have a really hard time saying no 🙂
Bednar with his cost and control, its hard to let a guy like that go.
If extending Reynolds is truly a possibility then that’s what they should do. But who knows if he’d bite, or at what cost?
given his age.and that the pirates already bought out the arbitration through 2023 givening him another year of Arb….
20/25/25/20m with , then maybe some reasonable options basically to give the possibility for him to retire a pirate. Buy out arb an then a couple extra giving him 90m. and a couple options of less than 20m working down as the years go.
would give him over 100m as a pirate. that number may change based on the state of the world at the time
Another team might offer more though given his performance.
If Pirates are unwilling to bring in a few good vets through trade or FA next winter (SP, RP, C, 1B) to supplement the young talent on team and in AAA/AA currently, than they might as well deal Reynolds now or next winter.
mostly starters. getting a good pitchers catcher could really help the current staff as well.
1b is kind of a tough one, if Martin starts getting on base at AAA then we have an offensive first basemen. If Cruz is staying at SS though then they need a good defensive 1b. Between Cruz’s strong arm and him bouncing a lot of balls to 1b… its rough. Martin is familiar with it though so might be okay (if his offense comes around)
I want Martin to be the answer at 1B, but he has wayyyy to much swing and miss to his game. Quality MLB Pitchers will make him look overmatched.
I want them to go get a couple high upside vets who are bounce back candidates for rotation. There are always a few of these type guys available every winter.
If I wasn’t a Tiger fans , dealing with Al Avila’s ineptnes……
Remember when Yankees fans were all saying that Andajur, Frazier and Torres were all untouchable? I believe that was in the Garrett Cole t rumors. Not sure who overvalues their PROSPECTS more Braves or Yankee fans. Not saying they should trade Reynolds but those 3 mentioned are a good example of why a good player takes several “untouchables” to land. I like Reynolds but I’d be ok either way but I think they should definitely trade Bednar.