The Kansas City Royals are seriously considering a move for Pittsburgh Pirates’ two-time All-Star Bryan Reynolds before the trade deadline.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Thursday that Reynolds “could make particular sense” for the Royals if he can bounce back in the second half of the 2025 season. The 30-year-old is slashing .240/.305/.397 after struggling with a .644 OPS in March and April.
Kansas City sits last in runs scored, and could potentially view Reynolds as a major offensive asset for the present and future. He’s signed through 2031, with roughly $74 million owed from 2026 to 2030, including a $2 million buyout on a $20 million club option for 2031.
That’s a vast commitment, but the Royals believe in the upside as July 31 nears.
Reynolds’ Outlook Could Be Bright
Things haven’t gone too well for the Royals this season. They are 40-47 (fourth in the American League Central) and have taken a considerable step back offensively, despite a mostly-healthy Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez in in the lineup.
If Kansas City pulls the trigger on a deal for Reynolds, they’d be getting a switch-hitting outfielder with a proven track record. While his slow start is a bit of a concern, he was able to improve his OPS from .644 in April to .772 in June.
He’s going to continue rediscovering the form that made him one of the Pirates’ most reliable players from 2021 to 2024. Fit-wise, Reynolds would likely slot into left field initially, at least until the club finds a need to adjust. Drew Waters has struggled at the plate, going 0-for-9 in his last four games.
Should The Royals Pursue Reynolds?
While they haven’t completely lost hope for this season, the Royals do have to think about what this kind of decision will look like next year and beyond.
Gaining a versatile talent in Reynolds, who is capable of playing anywhere in the outfield, offers a strong foundation moving forward.
Even if Reynolds’ hitting occasionally endures cold stretches, his overall skill set still makes him a valuable everyday contributor. His career numbers suggest he can be a .270-plus hitter. He’s still at a MLB age where he can revert back to a 20-25 homer weapon if he locks in.
The offensive floor might just be too good to pass up, as Kansas City is desperate for a massive upgrade. And this very well could wind up being one of their only options, as 2025 title contenders like the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers will be huge buyers for game-changers atop the trade market.
Defensively, Reynolds isn’t the most polished, but his experience is enough to waive that concern. The long-term details of his contract could also become a headache for Royals management, especially if there continues to be regression.
That said, it’s going to be difficult for the Royals to find another Reynolds-caliber performer in free agency for a lesser price.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Royals approach the trade deadline in the coming weeks. They’re already likely to move a few quality pieces of their bullpen, especially if the offensive production doesn’t justify doubling down on a 2025 playoff push.
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