Yankees backup plan if Bryan Reynolds is off the market

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Bryan Reynolds are having extension talks again, and the New York Yankees may need to form a backup plan because of it. 

Earlier this offseason, Pittsburgh Pirates star outfielder Bryan Reynolds requested a trade. The Pirates have made it known that they are not eager to move him, and now they are once again engaging in extension talks.

If the Pirates send the star outfielder an offer he can’t refuse, the New York Yankees will need to have a backup plan once we get closer to the trade deadline.

It isn’t a secret that the Yankees have been heavily linked to Reynolds. One could even argue that he is currently their number-one trade target. It ultimately makes sense, as the Baltimore native would help solidify their outfield and give them another star in the process.

However, if he remains a Pirate from here, New York has another star player worth pursuing. Actually, a better description for this said player would be generational.

The Yankees have the perfect player to target if Reynolds is officially off the market.

If the Yankees are forced to miss out on Reynolds, they are likely to go all-in on Shohei Ohtani.

Like Reynolds, he would help fix a major need that they have but also provide them with so much more. The superstar is of course a dominant pitcher as well, so he would also become one of their top starters in the process. If the NY was to acquire him, he would help lessen the sting of missing out on Reynolds immensely.

If the Los Angeles Angels are once again not competitive this season and Ohtani is not open to an extension, it will open the door for the Yankees to make him their primary trade target. He would be the perfect addition to their group and could be the final piece of the puzzle that helps them bring the World Series back to New York for the first time since 2009.

Nevertheless, we will need to wait and see what happens with Reynolds and the Yankees from here. If the Pirates take him off the market entirely, expect general manager Brian Cashman to make a beeline for Ohtani.

Keep in mind, the Yankees are notorious for being big spenders – both with trading and in free agency.