The Yankees have been in contact with the Pirates about Reynolds in recent weeks, according to MLB insider Jon Morosi, but there is an “obstacle.”
The Yankees are facing an ‘obstacle’ in trade for Bryan Reynolds
After free agent Andrew Benintendi left for the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees’ best option is undoubtedly Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, but the Pirates’ asking price is reportedly exorbitant. Even so, teams have been calling about Reynolds, including the New York Yankees.
According to reports, the Pirates are looking for starting pitching in exchange for Reynolds, and the Yankees don’t have many top-tier starting pitching prospects.
The top five players in the Yankees farm system according to MLB.com are all position players. Shortstop Anthony Volpe, outfielder Jasson Dominguez, shortstop Oswald Peraza, catcher Austin Wells, and outfielder Everson Pereira are their top five in exact order.
Will Warren (No. 8), Clayton Beeter (No. 9), and Luis Gil (No. 10) are the Yankees’ top starting pitching prospects, and they are ranked at the bottom of the top 10. (No. 10).
The Yankees did give up some starters in their farm system at the trade deadline this season in order to bolster their roster for a postseason run.
The Yankees sent then No. 5 prospect Ken Waldichuk and No. 7 prospect Luis Medina to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Frankie Montas. Waldichuk is currently Oakland’s second-best prospect in the organization, while Medina is 14th.
The Yankees then sent then-No. 7 prospect Hayden Wesneski to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher Scott Effross. Wesneski pitched in six games (four starts) for the Cubs last season, compiling a 2.18 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 3-2 win-loss record.
According to Morosi’s report, the Yankees may not have enough arsenal to facilitate a trade.
Getting the Pirates to part ways with Reynolds was always going to be difficult, given how much they want in return. After all, Reynolds is under team control until the 2025 season.
