Earlier this afternoon, we learned that the Pittsburgh Pirates have received a request from their star outfielder Bryan Reynolds to trade him.
Reynolds is three years away from free play and clearly the guy would like to win before it’s too late. At least that’s what I first thought.
Then, another theory crossed my mind: what if he was insulted by the offers made to him for his next contract? What if the Pirates weren’t ready to pay him to match his talent?
In fact, the Pirates offered Reynolds a contract that would make him the highest-paid player in franchise history, but…
But the record is $70 million and it belongs to Ke’Bryan Hayes. It is not an amount to be thrown into the walls, we will tell each other.
Next year, he will earn $6.75 million and he will be eligible for arbitration for the following two years. What amount was offered to him? I do not know.
But what is clear is that by mentioning that Reynolds will not be traded until the right offer is on the table, the Pirates want to drive up the price.
And 48 hours from the winter assizes, the timing is interesting to say the least.
