If you believe the conventional wisdom, it’s not difficult to piece together the Bryan Reynolds rumors. At this point in time, and given the Pittsburgh Pirates’ current level of desperation, the Yankees will have a difficult time meeting their demand for upper-level pitching prospects.
According to an MLB insider, a favorite has emerged in the Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)
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As a result, MLB insider Jon Morosi, who recently drove the bus in the Aaron Judge rumor cycle and assisted in the leak of video of him landing in San Francisco, appears to be on the right track while also captaining the latest batch of Reynolds rumors.
According to Morosi on Thursday, the Yankees, along with the M’s and the Los Angeles Dodgers, are among the top three “strongest” candidates to acquire the one-time All-Star for their left field vacancy.
Regretfully, the Mariners appear to be the clubhouse favorite. In the wake of Bryan Reynolds rumors, the Yankees are losing steam to the Mariners.
“The Yankees, Dodgers, and Mariners are the three strongest candidates to get Bryan Reynolds” per @jonmorosi
He also added that Reynolds to the Mariners looks “more promising”
— Kody Duncan (@KodyDuncanPGH) December 29, 2022
In the wake of Bryan Reynolds rumors, the Yankees are losing steam to the Mariners
Whether you believe Reynolds is a 6-WAR player or a 3-WAR player, he’s an immediate upgrade over Aaron Hicks for the Yankees.
He’s also the Pirates’ last chance to sell high; Oneil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes aren’t leaving.
With three years of team control still attached to Reynolds, Pittsburgh GM Ben Cherington will not settle for anything less than the best.
The Mariners can meet his team’s rumored demands in a variety of ways. Emerson Hancock, a collegiate righty, is Seattle’s No. 2 prospect.
According to MLB Pipeline, Bryce Miller and Walter Ford are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.
Hancock is outside the new-look Top 100 (though he lives on the outskirts), but the Ms could outperform everyone by bringing in big-leaguers George Kirby and Matt Brash to spice things up.
The Dodgers appear hesitant to trade higher-ranking prospect Bobby Miller, whereas the Blue Jays used their best trade chip to acquire Daulton Varsho and are likely set for 2023. (and will hold Ricky Tiedemann).
As a result, the Mariners have the best available pitching prospect as well as the most motivation to compete (outside of the Yankees, a team without ammunition).
If Brian Cashman still had Hayden Wesneski and Ken Waldichuk on his roster, he might be first in line.
At this point, the Mariners are better positioned to pay Pittsburgh’s asking price, while the Yankees’ best hope is that no one goes all-in until the deadline, forcing the Bucs to rethink and accept less.
