The Pirates appear to be open for business regarding trade talks for most of their roster (sans Paul Skenes) this summer. In a trade market without many quality bats available, that could make two-time All-Star Bryan Reynolds a particularly intriguing commodity for some teams. One potential wrinkle in Reynolds’s availability is his partial no-trade protection, which allows him to block trades to a list of six teams. A report from Noah Hiles from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette yesterday revealed those teams are the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, and Padres.
All six of those teams are in playoff contention and stand out as likely to not only buy this season, but do so fairly aggressively. It’s not unheard of for a player to waive their no-trade clause, and some players with limited no-trade protection even specifically prioritize putting likely contenders on their no-trade lists to maximize the amount of leverage they have in determining their destination should their team decide to trade them. With that being said, the news of Reynolds’ no-trade list certainly makes a deal sending him to any of those six clubs far less likely.
Many of the clubs Reynolds can block a trade to appear to be imperfect fits on paper. The Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets all have deep corner outfield mixes and seem very unlikely to prioritize adding a bat like Reynolds when they have larger needs elsewhere. The Giants likely made their big splash of trade season already when they acquired Rafael Devers from the Red Sox, although Mike Yastrzemski is in the final year of his contract and would be unlikely to stop San Francisco from adding an impact bat. Addison Barger’s breakout and George Springer’s resurgence have more or less locked down the right field and DH spots for the Blue Jays, and while there’s an opening in left field for the moment that figures to change as soon as Anthony Santander returns from the injured list.
Perhaps the clearest fit for Reynolds on his no-trade list is the Padres, who have long appeared to be a bat short in the lineup as they’ve cycled through options like Jason Heyward, Trenton Brooks, and Oscar Mercado with little success this year. There’s a clear opening in left field for Reynolds to theoretically step into, as well. With that being said, San Diego has operated under some extremely tight financial constraints in recent years that would make it difficult to see them deal a player like Reynolds, who is due more than $77MM after this season on his extension with the Pirates. It should also be noted that, despite Reynolds’s long track record of success in the majors, he’s in the midst of the worst full season of his career as he’s slashed just .232/.298/.384 with a wRC+ of 87 this season.
That combination of a hefty contract, a tough 2025 campaign so far, and now a list of six contenders who likely will not be in the market for Reynolds’s services could mean the Pirates won’t get as much interest in their star outfielder as they may have hoped. Even if that proves to be the case, however, Reynolds is sure to get at least some interest around the league. The Royals have already been connected to Reynolds just this past week, and there will surely be more outfield-needy teams who at least give the Pirates a call to see if there’s a match. Speculatively speaking, the Phillies and Cardinals stand out as clubs that could theoretically stand to make a substantial upgrade to their outfield who might have the resources necessary to take on Reynolds’s contract.
Appears he doesn’t like big cities or California
to me it just looks like he hates winning
Lmao.
To me, and his agent, it looks like he wants to be paid for waiving it.
@ Veal….Bingo
Yes, paid for waving it – those are the high tax States/Cities plus Canada…
Appears he’s not fond of high taxes.
But didn’t block the As
Didn’t block the Angels too.
Bottom feeders don’t buy.
He was only allowed to block 6 teams, so he picked 6 who were more likely to be buyers.
Mohoney that’s a good point I hadn’t thought of that. This way he can control where he goes and put potential buyers on the list. It’s smart really.
His list says a lot about the player. Not every guy wants to win championships above and beyond everything else. Some dudes just want to quietly collect their checks without any stress or pressure. To each his own.
Appears as though he wants leverage to perhaps gain something for waiving his no trade.
Makes sense to me. Good one, buddy.
Or good teams
His best no trade clause is that 2025 OPS+ of 88!
These choices seem calculated..I bet he would love to go to any of those places but if someone is willing to grant leverage take it
I feel like it’s leverage for a potential trade because those are teams that are frequent buyers.
It is probably the taxes in New York, California, and Ontario. Since he only got to pick 6 teams, he went with those 6. He likely figured the A’s and Angels would not be buyers at the deadline, so he went with the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants instead.
Clearly, not many understand the logic behind partial no-trade lists. Putting teams on the list have nothing to do with not wanting to go there.
Players add the teams that they’re more likely to be traded to as a means of gaining leverage. They’ll waive the no-trade clause in exchange for something the player wants, like an option being picked up, or a bonus.
Taxes have nothing to do with it either. Players usually add higher tax areas like NY and California to their lists, where they’ll waive the clause in exchange for a bonus.. Bonus’s are taxed in the player’s place of residence, not where they play the games. Bonus’s are typically used by teams to negate any higher tax.
Ryan Pressly did that when he approved the trade to the Cubs this off-season. The Astros paid the amount of the increased income tax and a chunk of money for moving expenses as a one time bonus as part of the deal.
Sounds like he’s KC bound
Or it appears he isn’t going anywhere with an OPS of only .674 and an increased strikeout rate.
Interesting list. I know the giants traded him to get McCutchen (bad trade in hindsight). I could see Seattle or Philly.
It worked out for Pittsburgh, except for us fans who didn’t like seeing him go. I’m thankful that cutch came back home. I like Bryan but I’m alright trading him (as if I have any say in the matter) as long as the Bucs get a decent return for him.
He’s not coming to San Diego. We can better spend our money on younger, more controllable pieces. I dont think he’d do well here…
You guys don’t have any money.
Not true, RW…
ummm you really dont
you have roughly 30M increase next year just between pivetta and machado which about evens out roughly with whats heading to free agency.
Going to free agency is 2 of what was supposed to be ace pitchers for the team, your 1b, and technically your catcher which was still a problem last year. This also doesnt include arbitration raises which will most likely go up a a little.
This also doesnt factor in if the younger seidlers take over the team wanting to slash payroll vs the wife that will probably end up keeping it even since peter practically mortgaged the future for the now before he died (dont blame him btw).
not sure where the extra money comes from.
The Siedlers have no interest in slashing payroll.l and are already in charge of the team. There is money there, there always has been. They just have to get under the tax threshold(s). As far as the roster, we are talking 2026 in July of 2025, speaking about it now is speculative at best…
@Roll Pivetta? He’s very low cost, what a steal that signing was.. And quite the contrary, in 2026 the Padres have Hosmer’s contact off the books, and at least 3 to all of Cease, King, Arraez and Suarez. They are just below the 2nd tier of CBT now, but have no problem exceeding if right deal comes along.
The rumors that continue that the Pads are broke despite top 3 attendance and top 10 payroll every year, are based in alternate reality.
Tier 1 is 240 mil.
They are well under that.
They’ve slashed significant payroll in 2 years.
Like I said, they’re below the 2nd tier. 2023 was aberrant at $290M, they reduced payroll last year to reset on CBT. All the top payroll teams do that.
They’re below EVERY tier.
not that I’d want Reynolds anyway but extra money could come from Suarez, Cease, Arraez, and Hosmer’s money all coming off the books. That’s about $50m right there.
@brew
to keep the payroll down this year they are paying him 4M this year and 19M next year due to cutting payroll.
The salary’s added total for mlb free agents for this year (8.5M) is the less half of what severino is getting from the a’s (20M) per sportrac.
They added for this year, 4m for pivetta, 1.5 for elias, 1 for hart heyward and joe for the major league roster. Pivetta gets the huge increase next year to 19M and elias gets a 2m buyout for next year as i assume they will not mutually agree. Where was all this money when all these players were available?
I think Reynolds would be Frazier 2.0
Now…exactly!!!
The Phillies make the most sense as long as they can find a taker for Castellanos in maybe a 3-team trade. No way PIT takes on the remainder of his contract. Not sure KC would have the appetite for a year and a half of Casty for about $30M.
I doubt you’ll find anybody to take that contract. He’s not really an OF and doesn’t hit enough to DH. Philly would have to pay him way down or send a high end prospect or two along with him.
Doesn’t hit enough? He has a track record of hitting lol its one bad season outside of 2020… plenty teams would have him gladly
I said PLAYOFFS
hottakesonly, Since coming to Philly Castellanos has a 106 OPS+. That’s not that good. Especially since the PF for CBP has it tied for the 4th best overall hitter’s park, and 5th in HRs. $20M a year for a slightly better than average hitter, with a -9 OAA, is not going to get many takers in a trade.
@jean sorry I was referring to reynolds
No need to apologize. It should be me apologizing to you for getting it totally wrong.
Find a team to take Castellanos and land Reynolds would be a huge boost come playoff time. Castellanos has had one good postseason series since 2022. Grab Bednar too.
Phillies would definitely be a great fit. I agree especially that this could be the last year for that group.
@mlbnyyfan,
Do you know something the rest of us don’t? A contagious terminal illness going around the Phillies clubhouse, perhaps?
I thought it was common knowledge that the Phil’s Spring Training intrasquad game on March 26th, 2026 gets interrupted by a meteor… where ya been, Bartman!
Color me impressed. He puts a list of teams that more often than not, are always trying to win and will be able to throw money at him to waive the NTC. Might not work out, but a smart play by if the limited NTC was the best he could get.
Interesting selection of cities. I wonder if he was unable to secure a full no-trade clause for his extension a couple years ago, and tried to mitigate the potential damage of the partial by eliminating six teams who are typically buyers at the trade deadline and known for throwing crazy money around. I mean, the dude signed an extension with Pittsburgh that wasn’t crazy money and without any real hope of post-season success, so he clearly wants to live there and not get traded away. I like this.
It’s got nothing to do with him not wanting to be traded away.
Right. He’s making sure he gets a cost of living adjustment from those teams
Chicago- Reynolds does not have an aggressive personality and basically wanted to play in a low key environment that matches his personality.
The money in his contract is substantial and plenty for him and his family.
Not every player is all about the most money that they can make.
He easily could have played it out and signed a free agent contract.
He seems happy to be in Pittsburgh and has never caused any problems.
Hopefully he returns soon to his previous hitting level.
Mendoza, thanks for that insight! That was the point I was trying to make, that perhaps Reynolds is just genuinely happy in Pittsburgh and was trying to minimize the risk he’d go elsewhere… including taking less money from Pitt in the extension than what he might make in free agency and constructing a no-trade clause to exclude teams that might be most likely to give out prospects+cash to entice Pitt in a trade.
I think it’s easy for fans to forget that these players- in all these sports- are people like you and I, wanting to build a life and family and sense of community where they’re happy. I was thinking that maybe his selection of no-trade cities was a reflection of that.
Cheers.
Bednar should be a Jays target.
No G’s. Sorry. Already had him and went with Cutch.
English, please.
No one inside the cardinals organization thinks they need upgrade the outfield. The blinders are thick in the STL, and in their minds they have a surplus of outfielders as it is.
Wow Bryan Reynolds!!!!!!!
.682 OPS!
Negative 0.6 WAR!
He’ll fit right into DUMBrowski’s lineup with all the other guys who have a “6” as the first number of their OPS (except Rojas, he’s such a DUMBro stud his number is a “5”)
DUMBrowski can clean out what’s left of the Phillies thin farm for Bryan Reynolds and two scruff Pirates relievers (Dennis Santana and David Bedar). Any GM with a brain would use Abel and Painter out of the pen and not trade anything from the farm.
Go DUMBro go!
There’s plenty to critique with your silly comment. I’ll just start with the fact that the Phillies have five top 100 prospects. Not including Abel.
For a second, I thought this was Poopy On The Heels.
Red Sox should make a deal for Skenes and Reynolds. What would it take?
Mayer, Casas, Bello, and 2 other high upside prospects?
Just skenes and Reynolds?
Get ohtani.
Aim higher
Angels and A’s aren’t on his list, same with both Chicago teams.
Where I’m from we are very open minded when it comes to preferred names. I prefer Billy Bad Takes or Poopy Bill or Will I am Poopy.
Darn, all of Poopy’s comments were pulled!
Reynolds is switch hitter with proven track record. He just has zero protection in that pirates lineup. He would be a fit for the Tigers, Red Sox and Mariners. It would probably take a mid level prospect and the ability to absorb his contract. Tigers payroll is pretty low and they could afford him easily. Would love to see him in a Tigers uniform.
The interesting thing here is he doesn’t want to go to Canada, New York, or basically California. I guess being from Tennessee he’d probably prefer a Midwest or Southeastern team if he’s traded
It’s not about not wanting to go to those places. It’s about the leverage he’ll gain. He’ll waive the no-trade clause in exchange for something. Since those places you listed are all higher tax areas, it would probably require a bonus, to offset a higher tax, for him to waive the clause.
It’s not about teams he doesn’t want to play for. It’s teams that are most likely to trade for him. Thus, he can negotiate bonuses for accepting the trade.
So he’s ruling out the states with the highest taxes, smart man
He’s not ruling anything out. If the Dodgers, or Yankees, want him, he’ll waive the no-trade clause in exchange for a bonus to offset higher taxes.
This, since the beginning of the no-trade clause. Why can’t fans understand?
Ontario is not a state. Never will be.
The Giants are on the list because he’s still salty that they traded him to the Pirates for Cutch.
I really hope for the next month opening this site it is not dedicated to Bryan Reynold rumors. Nutting is going to jump at whoever takes the majority of the contract case closed. BC is a walking corpse and will not be making the call.
The fans
Imagine turning down a trade Out of Pittsburgh
Unless the assumption is that he’s on a steady way down and can’t duplicate the past two seasons, he’s still a very good ballplayer, though not the superstar originally thought when he blossomed in Pittsburgh.
I’d like to hear from a Pirates fan how they rated his defense and arm. I think I know, but I’d like to hear it from someone who sees him regularly.
Pete-Reynolds played CF his first few years when they had no one else.He was ok there.
He really is a LF.He hustles and has good routes as he has always played the outfield.
I think that he is average out there but they have him in RF now as they are playing Pham who is a good left fielder.
Reynolds does not have the arm for RF.His throws to home are reasonably accurate but rainbows.
The posters on here who think that he will be traded are basing it on his salary.He is one of the only decent hitters that the Pirates have.They would be trading him during his worst season.Even the Pirates are smart enough not to do that as no one would overpay for him.
These poster trade offers are always amusing to me.
Trade everyone making over $5 million a year. Haven’t you heard? Poor Bobbie is losing money.
Hey Bob nice to see you.
I think he will. Not a lot of options out there and he’s got the pedigree to perform well enough over the rest of that contract. Pirates will take a light return consistent with their trade history and he’ll prob end up a Yankee or dodger haha
Except if he wanted to be a Dodger or Yankee he would have been available this winter for a free agent contract.
Taking the guarantee money was the right move
The key team that isn’t listed is the Philadelphia Phillies so that could be a possible trade partner for them.
I personally would love it. We don’t have committed contracts for the outfield. Crawford is not knocking on the door, but he would fit perfectly right now.
Wait. Am I missing something here or is this article written incorrectly? It says, “One potential wrinkle in Reynolds’s availability is his partial no-trade protection, which allows him to block trades to a list of six teams.” And those teams are the Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, and Padres.
So, why is this article mostly focusing all the teams mentioned about trade possibilities for teams on the no trade teams list?
Well said!
Broke isnt the rumor.
The reality is peter seidler financed the spending spree, not the team
The pads were under Tier 1 last year, and still are.
The partial no trade has nothing to do with his not wanting to go anywhere. His limit is 6. It requires the team to notify him if he’s in the talks for a trade and forces the teams they picked who are classic buy at the deadline teams to cough ip boni to waiver. Just a negotiation stall.
Royals for Carter Jensen and a Loftin/Massey type?
Only likes playing for losers. 😂
Shocking the Reds aren’t in on Reynolds. Just Shocking!
Yes, that was sarcasm, kids.
The best fit for him is the Houston Astros. Their winning culture would turbo charge his desire to play, his stats would return and possibly even ascend to new heights. Additionally the Astros are in desperate need of a left-handed bat since Kyle Tucker is gone and Alvarez has been on the IL for most of the season. He doesn’t have to put up stats like those guys, but anything he can do close to his normal performance would greatly enhance the Astros chances of a title.
Agreed. Saved me from posting the same. Stros have left field open in need of a LF or at least switch hitting bat and Reynolds checks off all the boxes, plus he’d have more protection when our lineup is healthy again. The only obstacle as perfect trade partner is if Stros willing to go over the Tax, which they’d have to do to obtain him
kinda funny they state the Dodgers having deep corner outfield rotations. you’re talking conforto who should be released like Verdugo just was batting .176 and Teoscar who’s really struggling since his injury platooning w Kike and the just called up light hitting Ruiz? Not saying Reynolds should or would come to LA but the team is pretty far from a deep corner outfield rotation.
No team should fall for these no trade clauses. Here is a guy his entire career on a losing team. He doesnt want to be on a winning team going into the playoffs. That should tell you somehting. He names teams that he thinks couldbe contenders. He does that to leverage more money. Ill go to the Yankees once I get more cash.
The U.S. is a capitalist country. We negotiate and leverage contracts here, robw5555. Sorry it doesn’t fit your ideology.
Looks like they waited a little too long to try to trade him. He has negative WAR this year. I doubt they would get much for him.
Good. How does Reynolds and his .226 BA make an improvement to a team competing for a playoff spot anyway
There shouldn’t be a comma before “as well.”