Yankees fans will be floored by insiders' Bryan Reynolds bold trade prediction
The New York Yankees left field situation remains unresolved and time is running out. And the options are scarce. And the desirable ones won't be cheap. By "desirable ones," we pretty much only mean Pittsburgh Pirates star Bryan Reynolds.
The Pirates have held their ground after the 28-year-old requested a trade. They want a king's ransom in return for Reynolds -- something akin to what the Washington Nationals received from the San Diego Padres in the massive Juan Soto trade.
That's not happening, though. Reynolds wants out. The Pirates are losing leverage by the minute. And any slippage in Reynolds' production will hurt them. Additionally, nobody is paying a "Soto price" for Not Juan Soto.
That's led a couple of trusted Yankees insiders to offer up a wildly bold prediction for the Bombers on Spring Training Eve. Yes, we're hearing from Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic once again. Give us more!
Kirschner believes there's a chance Reynolds could be the Yankees' starting left fielder at some point in 2023 (he didn't specifically mention if this would happening before Opening Day or at the trade deadline).
Yankees bold prediction: Bryan Reynolds starting in left field?
The Yankees need a better option in left field than Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Cabrera. Could a package of outfielder Everson Pereira, catcher Austin Wells, right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt and right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter be enough to get it done? The Yankees have title aspirations, and it’s hard imagining them not trying to upgrade left field with the best possible candidate available.
And ... how about that trade package?! Pereira and Wells are pretty much the only true assets. Clarke Schmidt feels like a throw-in because of his inconsistencies, and Clayton Beeter was acquired for Joey Gallo at the 2022 deadline. We'd truly be floored if that group managed to bring Reynolds to the Bronx. It'd hurt to surrender Wells, who looks to be a promising major leaguer, but no team is escaping a Reynolds trade unscathed. Gotta give to get here.
Just last week, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Reynolds remains a big part of the team and that was yet another indication Yankees fans should keep this scenario at arms length. That's probably how this dream trade should be approached, but it's hard to not be a bit more optimistic if insiders are making note of the possibility, no matter how "bold" it might be...