How the Mariners could complete a 3 team trade for Bryan Reynolds

Bryan Reynolds Trade #1: Dodgers+Mariners+Pirates

In this first trade possibility, the Mariners would get Reynolds to solidify their outfield, the Dodgers would strengthen their bullpen, and the Pirates would get a haul of prospects. From a Dodgers perspective, they get a new closer who is coming off of back-to-back sub-3 ERA and FIP seasons as the Pirates closer. In Los Angeles, he could become an elite closer for one of the best teams in baseball, and they would get Diego Castillo to lengthen their bullpen.

The Pirates would be adding lots of talent that are close to the big leagues in this deal. They have some key young players already at the big league level in Oneil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes, so adding players closer to the big leagues gives them the ability to have a loaded prospect wave. They would get four young pitchers who have all pitched at the double-A level or higher, and they all could be starters.

Matt Brash and Ryan Pepoit could both start for the Pirates from the start of the season, and Emerson Hancock and Gavin Stone could be ready in the second half of the year or in 2024 for sure barring injuries. That gives Pittsburgh four potential starters who all have flashed mid-rotation or better stuff at times.

On top of those four pitchers, they would also get Jarred Kelenic who has clearly lost some of his shine but is just 23 years old and has tremendous potential. The Pirates also have a lot of talented outfielders or outfield prospects. Kelenic could still pop for the Pirates, and they would be able to offer him the opportunity to play every day for them. He could fill in directly for Reynolds in center for them and get consistent at-bats.

Pittsburgh would also get Harry Ford who is a catcher for now, but due to the Pirates having Henry Davis in the system, they could move Ford to the outfield if they choose to. Having catching depth is never a problem, and getting one of the most athletic catchers in the minor leagues would not hurt the Pirates who are trying to build a young talented team.

So why would the Pirates do this? If Reynolds is very unhappy with the Pirates organization, which would not be surprising as they have not won over 80 games since 2018, then Pittsburgh should seriously think about trading him now because he has tons of value now. If the Pirates wait to trade him, he will only lose value. Trading three years of Reynolds would net them a haul, if they wait, they risk injury to Reynolds or a decrease in performance.