The Giants drafted Bryan Reynolds in 2016 and may have interest in bringing him back to the Bay.
Reynolds, 27, requested a trade away from the Pittsburgh Pirates according to multiple reports. If the Pirates do end up dealing him, the Giants are one of several teams with a need in center field.
Even in a down year compared to his All-Star 2021 campaign, Reynolds hit .262 with a career-high 27 home runs last season. Since 2021, only Aaron Judge and Cedric Mullins have posted more Fangraphs WAR than Reynolds (9.0) among center fielders.
The switch-hitting Reynolds is owed just $6.75 million next season and is under club control through 2025.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Pittsburgh offered Reynolds a contract that would’ve made him the richest Pirate in franchise history, but apparently wasn’t enough for the one-time All-Star.
Just because Reynolds requested a trade doesn’t mean Pittsburgh has to, or will, deal him. A team spokesman said that while the outfielder’s request is “disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this off-season or in the future…we look forward to (Reynolds) having a great season for the Pirates.”
But if the situation becomes untenable and Pittsburgh does decide to offload Reynolds, the Giants could emerge as a trade partner.
San Francisco currently has Austin Slater, Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade Jr. expected back in the outfield. Joc Pederson will also return for 2023, but he’s best suited for more of a designated hitter role. Of course, signing Aaron Judge or Brandon Nimmo would change the Giants’ calculus in the outfield dramatically.
Other center fielders available in free agency include Cody Bellinger and Kevin Kiermaier.
Trading for Reynolds would require parting with prospects — a tax that signing one of the free agents wouldn’t require. Given Reynolds’ production at a premium position and contract status, he’d be one of the most sought after trade options in baseball.