Former SF Giants outfield prospect requests trade from Pittsburgh Pirates

In one of the more regrettable trades in recent memory, the SF Giants shipped outfield prospect Bryan Reynolds to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 in a deal to acquire star outfielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen was on the Giants for a total of five months, whereas Reynolds has emerged as a star with Pittsburgh. That said, the switch-hitting outfielder is looking to force his way off of the Pirates roster.

Former SF Giants outfield prospect requests trade from Pittsburgh Pirates

According to multiple reports, Reynolds has requested a trade with three seasons of team control remaining. The 27-year-old outfield is frustrated with contract talks and would rather be wearing a different uniform at this point.

Jon Heyman of the NY Post reports that the Pirates offered more than $70 million in an extension offer but that offer did not move the needle with Reynolds and his representatives. While the young outfielder can request a trade, the Pirates are not necessarily in a position where they need to accommodate the request.

According to a team spokesperson, they are not motivated to move Reynolds:

""While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this offseason or in the future. Our goal is to improve the Pirates for 2023 and beyond. With three years until he hits free agency, Bryan remains a key member of our team. We look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates.""

Pittsburgh Pirates

Reynolds debuted with the Pirates in 2019 and it took no time for him to adjust to major league pitching as he slashed .314/.377/.503 (130 OPS+) with 16 home runs, 68 RBI, and 83 runs in 546 plate appearances. He finished in fourth place for the NL Rookie of the year voting that season.

In four seasons, the 27-year-old has registered a .281/.361/.481 line (127 OPS+) with a 9.8 percent walk rate against a 21.8 percent strikeout rate. This includes a stellar 2021 campaign in which he posted a .912 OPS in 646 plate appearances while earning an NL All-Star bid and receiving down-ballot MVP votes.

San Francisco originally drafted Reynolds in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Vanderbilt University. He spent one full season in the Giants organization before being shipped along with reliever Kyle Crick to the Pirates in January of 2018.

If the Pirates were willing to part with the All-Star outfielder, they would receive a substantial haul given his performance and the number of years of team control remaining. That said, they do not appear to be entertaining that thought at this point.