MLB Rumors: Pittsburgh Pirates Want "Soto-Type Package" For Trade Candidate

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite their denials, are indeed taking serious offers for disgruntled All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds. 

But he notes it's going to take "an exceedingly high" priced package to get it done. One exec said the outfielder's price tag is "super expensive," while another rival official went so far as to say that the Pirates are looking for a “Soto-type package” for Reynolds. 

The Pirates’ ask for Bryan Reynolds makes it sound unlikely that he moves. Described as looking for a “Soto-like” package. https://t.co/gYrv9KXYAs

— Tao of Stieb (@TaoofStieb) December 12, 2022

What that means, of course, is the historic deal that sent superstar Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres this past August. The return for the Washington Nationals was a prospect haul for the ages. It included two of the Padres' top three prospects, and five high-end prospects or young major leaguers in all. 

Surely, says Rosenthal, that source was "exaggerating" in describing the Pirates' ask as being that substantial, but they certainly have every reason to be shooting high. 

Reynolds is heavily in demand around the majors, after showing himself to be a top outfielder in the league over the past two seasons. And he's got three years of team control remaining, not entering free agency until 2026. He was an All-Star in 2021, batting .302 with an OPS of .912. This past season he hit a career-high 27 home runs while maintaining an OPS over .800. He's also a fine center fielder. 

The Toronto Blue Jays have been noted by one insider as the "team to watch most closely" in the Reynolds sweepstakes. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports