A Giants trade after losing out on Aaron Judge

The San Francisco Giants missed out on free agent outfielder Aaron Judge, but they can get a pretty big name on the trade block to throw into their outfield.

The San Francisco Giants were in the running for star outfielder and 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge. Even though they reportedly made an offer in the neighborhood of $360 million, Judge decided on Wednesday morning that he wanted to return to the New York Yankees. The deal is reportedly worth $360 million over nine years.

This once again marks another top outfield free agent that the Giants have lost out on. The other notable name is Bryce Harper, who joined on the Philadelphia Phillies after the 2018 season.

From all indications, San Francisco is pivoting to signing one of the remaining top shortstops, with Carlos Correa being the most notable name linked. They did manage to sign outfielder Mitch Haniger to a three-year deal, but he’s no Aaron Judge.

Giants president Farhan Zaidi could opt to pivot to the trade market for a top name. One option could be Bryan Reynolds of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

What a Giants trade for Bryan Reynolds could look like

According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Reynolds requested a trade off of the Pirates. It doesn’t sound like the Pirates are exactly rushing to trade him away, as they are reportedly asking for “a king’s ransom” in return.

It’s understandable why Pittsburgh wants so much for Reynolds. He’s a great outfielder, and he’s under contract through the 2025 season. Given that, the asking price is what it is.

Given that the Giants lost out on Judge, they can go get back their former 2016 second-round pick, whom they traded to the Pirates in exchange for Andrew McCutchen in 2018. Not only do they have the pieces to acquire a player like Reynolds, but they can sign him to a long-term contract.

It will be costly, but here’s what the Giants can offer for Reynolds.

The Giants are going to have to surrender top 20 prospects in a deal to get Reynolds. Top overall prospect Marco Luciano will have to be in the deal since Jon Morosi of MLB Network suggested that the Toronto Blue Jays would likely have to include one of their top two prospects in a deal for Reynolds. Given that the Giants are active in the shortstop market now, that could provide extra incentive to move Luciano to get a star outfielder.

Rounding out the trade is outfielder Grant McCray (No. 4 prospect), who could potentially replace Reynolds in the outfield in Pittsburgh, and right-handed pitcher Mason Black (No. 11 prospect) who could very well slot into the starting rotation.

The Giants need to make a big splash move, and Reynolds could be the one to make. It’s going to be costly, but it’s one they should consider.