Center fielder Bryan Reynolds of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on at bat during the first inning in the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York City, September 17, 2022. /CFP
The Pittsburgh Pirates expressed their disappointment at the team's All-Star center fielder (CF) Bryan Reynolds' request for them to trade him in a statement on Saturday.
"While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this offseason or in the future," the Pirates 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."
Having finished his fourth season in the major league, Reynolds hit a batting average of .262 with 62 runs batted in and 27 home runs in 145 games for the Pirates. The team finished the regular season with a 62-100 record and ranked bottom in the National League (NL) Central. They have never reached 70 wins or the playoffs in the four seasons when Reynolds was with them.
The last time the Pirates appeared in the postseason was in 2015 and they were knocked out by the Chicago Cubs 1-0 in the NL Wild Card Series.
Center fielder Bryan Reynolds (L) of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats in the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City, September 20, 2022. /CFP
Reynolds was named for the MLB All-Star Game in 2021 and was 11th in the NL Most Valuable Player voting. He will become a very attractive target for teams that are trying to enhance their outfield positions when teams hold winter meetings in San Diego next week.
The Pirates appointed Ben Cherington as their general manager in November 2019 for franchise rebuild. They traded for first baseman Choi Ji-man with the Tampa Bay Rays in early November and veteran Carlos Santana in the same position on a one-year, $6.75 million deal later last month.
"We think we've got a group of young players that has a chance to help us get better and continue to get better, and we'll try to add to that group in the way that makes the most sense," Cherington said on Tuesday.