Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds requests trade; team says it has 'zero impact on our decision-making'

Kevin Gorman
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 1:44 p.m. | Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 1:44 p.m.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Pirates center fielder Bryan Reynolds, 27, is entering the second year of a two-year, $13.5 million contract.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, the team’s MVP last season, has requested a trade.

“While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this offseason or in the future,” a team spokesman said. “Our goal is to improve the Pirates for 2023 and beyond. With three years until he hits free agency, Bryan remains a key member of our team. We look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates.”

Reynolds, 27, is entering the second year of a two-year, $13.5 million contract that will pay him $6.75 million next season.

He has two more years of arbitration remaining before becoming a free agent in 2026.

In four seasons with the Pirates, Reynolds has a slash line of .281/.361/.481 with 74 home runs and 239 RBIs.

• Analysis: By requesting a trade, Bryan Reynolds sets up a standoff with Pirates

Reynolds was the return from the San Francisco Giants in the Andrew McCutchen trade in 2018.

As a rookie in 2019, Reynolds batted .314 with an .880 OPS, 27 doubles, 16 home runs and 68 RBIs.

He struggled in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, batting .189 with seven homers and 19 RBIs in 55 games but bounced back the following season when he slashed .302/.390/.522 with 35 doubles, eight triples, 24 home runs and 90 RBIs.

This past season, Reynolds won the Roberto Clemente Award as team MVP, voted by the Baseball Writers Association of America, Pittsburgh chapter, when he batted .262 with a career-high 27 home runs and 62 RBIs.

He was a Gold Glove finalist, Silver Slugger finalist and an All-Star in 2021.

Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.