Texas Rangers Leading Contender For Big Trade Target

Although all the top big-name free agents are off the market, there's still at least one huge trade target that teams are clamoring for, and the latest rumor has the Texas Rangers as a top suitor for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

The Rangers are "among the top remaining suitors" for a potential Bryan Reynolds trade, per @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/Y7Y0ATuuFz

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 11, 2023

Insider Jon Morosi said on MLB Network this morning that the Pirates want high-upside pitching prospects for Reynolds, and he notes that Texas has three pitchers among the MLB Pipeline Top 100:

Jack Leiter is the Rangers' No. 2 prospect, and the son of a former World Series champion and 2-time All-Star, Al Leiter. He just made his pro debut in 2022 at Double-A, and while he struggled with his control, he did strike out 10.6 batters per nine.

Another RHP, Owen White, is their No. 4 prospect, and he went 9-2 with a 3.70 ERA across two levels in 2022, striking out 11.7 batters per nine.

Finally, Brock Porter is only 19, but is already the Rangers' No. 6 prospect.

If the Pirates are looking for some talented young arms in return for Reynolds, the Rangers might be the place to look.

Reynolds was an All-Star in 2021, posting a .912 OPS, and he followed that up in 2022 with 27 homers. He still has three years of team control, including 2023.

 Photo: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports