Blockade in Bryan Reynolds deal for Yankees revealed

The New York Yankees have been in contact with the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Bryan Reynolds, but there is a reported holdup that’s preventing a deal.

The New York Yankees have been pretty active this offseason, re-signing AL MVP Aaron Judge and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, while signing starting pitcher Carlos Rodon and reliever Tommy Kahnle in free agency. Even with these moves, the team still has a need at left field after Andrew Benintendi left for the Chicago White Sox in free agency.

With the top free agents gone, the best option is undoubtedly Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, but, the return that the Pirates are seeking is reportedly astronomical. Still, teams have been calling them about Reynolds, with the Yankees being one of them. But what’s the hold-up preventing the Yankees from striking a deal?

Well, according to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the Yankees have been in contact with the Pirates for Reynolds in recent weeks, but there is an “obstacle.” The Pirates are seeking starting pitching in a return for Reynolds, and the Yankees don’t have many starting pitching prospects at the top of their farm system.

Yankees facing ‘obstacle’ in Bryan Reynolds trade talks with Pirates

When looking at the top five of the Yankees farm system rankings on MLB.com, they are all position players. Their top five in exact order are shortstop Anthony Volpe, outfielder Jasson Dominguez, shortstop Oswald Peraza, catcher Austin Wells, and outfielder Everson Pereira.

The Yankees’ top starting pitching prospects are ranked at the bottom of the top 10, and they are Will Warren (No. 8), Clayton Beeter (No. 9), and Luis Gil (No. 10).

At this past season’s trade deadline, the Yankees did surrender some starters in their farm system to bolster their roster for a postseason run.

To acquire Frankie Montas from the Oakland Athletics, the Yankees traded then-No. 5 prospect Ken Waldichuk and No. 7 prospect Luis Medina. Waldichuk is currently Oakland’s second-overall prospect in the system, while Medina ranks 14th.

Then, to bring relief pitcher Scott Effross in from the Chicago Cubs, the Yankees sent then-No. 7 prospect Hayden Wesneski. In fact, Wesneski pitched in six games (four starts) for the Cubs this past season, where he recorded a 2.18 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, and a 3-2 win-loss record.

Getting the Pirates to part ways with Reynolds was always going to be a challenge, considering they want a lot in return. Reynolds is under team control through the 2025 season, after all. Based off this report from Morosi, the Yankees may not have enough arsenal to facilitate a trade.