When Bryan Reynolds agreed to an eight-year, $106.75 million extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates in April 2023, the contract was more than just a record-setting payout for the franchise.
Embedded in the deal was a limited no-trade clause that gave Reynolds control over his next move should the Pirates ever decide to pivot. For the 2025 season, Reynolds’ no-trade list includes six clubs: the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Padres, and Blue Jays.
In practical terms, the clause removes many of baseball’s traditional big-market players from the discussion. Multiple league sources confirm that Reynolds’ name remains on shortlists as a potential trade target at this year’s deadline, but his limited protection dramatically narrows the market for Pittsburgh.
Bryan Reynolds Has No-Trade Protection Against Big-Market Teams like Mets, Yankees, Dodgers
This could prove advantageous for a club like the Philadelphia Phillies, who sit atop the National League East but remain a candidate to add outfield help to bolster a roster built for October.
With a career slash line of .272/.346/.461, Reynolds proved to be a steady source of offensive production during his first six seasons with the Pirates. However, he has slashed just .230/.295/.379 through 86 games this season, suggesting that Reynolds perhaps has an offensive spurt remaining for the second half of 2025.
Beyond the switch-hitting value he brings to the lineup, Reynolds remains an underrated defensive asset. Over his career, Reynolds has logged over 2500 innings in both left and center field, and just under 1000 in right, combining for just 16 errors in his six-plus seasons.
While Reynolds does not carry the elite defensive reputation of some pure center fielders, his versatility allows him to slide seamlessly into left or right if needed, with solid reads and arm strength that grades out around league average. For the Phillies, who have relied heavily on Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas for center field coverage, Reynolds would offer both a defensive upgrade and lineup stability against right- and left-handed pitching.
Financially, Reynolds’ deal is structured favorably for a club like Philadelphia, which has already pushed into luxury tax territory but retains room to add controllable salary rather than short-term rental money. His contract pays $14.25 million in 2026, then pays $15.25 million per year through the 2030 season, with no opt-outs and a clear cost structure that aligns with the Phillies’ current core.
Outfield-Needy Phillies Could Find Fit With Pirates Veteran Bryan Reynolds
For Pittsburgh, the challenge remains whether to move a franchise cornerstone at all.
Reynolds, 30, has been the subject of trade rumors for nearly half a decade, yet the Pirates have continued to resist offers unless they receive a significant package headlined by major-league ready talent and multiple top prospects. The cost for Philadelphia would likely include right-hander Mick Abel, recently returned to Triple-A after an inconsistent run of big-league starts, and another high-upside piece from the top of the farm system.
Nevertheless, the no-trade clause in Reynolds’ contract shifts leverage in subtle ways. The Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers — all teams with obvious outfield needs and deep prospect capital — cannot force their way into the bidding without Reynolds’ approval. The same applies to the Giants and Padres, two West Coast clubs with history in pursuing switch-hitting outfielders. If Reynolds and his representatives prefer a move to an immediate contender with a clear path to postseason play, the Phillies emerge as one of the more logical fits remaining on the board.
With the deadline approaching and Philadelphia seeking every edge to secure another deep October run, Reynolds’ unique contract protection could make him a rare, realistic swing for Dave Dombrowski’s front office. Should Pittsburgh decide the timing is right to reset, Reynolds’ selective no-trade clause could end up funneling a premium bat — and steady glove — directly into a Phillies lineup that remains intent on staying near the top of the National League for years to come.
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