The Giants probably weren’t eyeing a reunion, but a partial no-trade clause makes it even less likely.
The Pittsburgh Pirates may finally be on the verge of trading outfielder Bryan Reynolds this summer. However, the two-time All-Star has a six-team no-trade clause that could complicate things. The former San Francisco Giants prospect has included the organization that drafted him on his limited no-trade list. Reynolds’ contract allows him to block trades to six teams. Those teams are the Giants, Padres, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mets, and Yankees.
Reynolds was drafted by the Giants as a second-round pick out of Vanderbilt back in 2016. He was traded to the Pirates alongside right-handed pitcher Kyle Crick for Andrew McCutchen. Reynolds quickly became one of Pittsburgh’s top prospects and made his big-league debut in 2019. Since reaching the majors, he has been a consistently above-average hitter, posting a career .272/.346/.461 line with 132 home runs.
While speculation about the Giants reacquiring Reynolds has popped up over his career, a potential fit seems less likely now. The Giants offense undeniably could use some upgrades, but Reynolds is in the middle of a down offensive season, currently posting one of the worst lines of his career (.229/.294/.380). Moreover, Reynolds is limited defensively to the corner outfield or designated hitter, the few positions where San Francisco already has above-average hitters playing everyday in Heliot Ramos, Rafael Devers, and Mike Yastrzemski.
Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey has been willing to make bold moves, and a potential buy-low gamble on Reynolds could make more sense if Devers becomes the team’s starting first baseman. However, his contract situation (and no-trade clause) would seem like added complications for the Giants. Reynolds is three seasons into an eight-year, $106.75 million extension that guarantees him roughly $15 million a season through 2030.
While Reynolds’ salary would be a great value if he rebounds to his career numbers, his drop in production comes with some long-term concerns. Given the Giants recent commitments to Devers and Willy Adames, the ownership group may be hesitant to acquire another player with guaranteed money through the end of the decade.