Photo: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Hot Stove season is starting to really pick up some momentum with All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds requesting a trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

First reported by Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Reynolds has asked for a trade and he automatically becomes one of the top outfielders available this offseason alongside Aaron Judge and Brandon Nimmo. However, it is worth noting that the Pirates have responded with the following statement:

“While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this offseason or in the future. Our goal is to improve the Pirates for 2023 and beyond. With three years until he hits free agency, Bryan remains a key member of our team. We look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates.”

Per Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Pirates offered to make Reynolds the highest paid player in franchise history, surpassing the $70 million contract given to third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. And, while Pittsburgh seems determined to keep hold of one of their biggest assets, every player has a price and there will no doubt be a plethora of teams willing to give up significant packages in order to acquire a star outfielder at his peak with plenty of upside.

Reynolds received voting for National League Rookie of the Year in 2019 after hitting .314/.377/.503/.880 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI. He also made his first All-Star Game and received MVP voting after a stellar 2021 season. In 646 plate appearances, the switch-hitter slashed .302/.390/.522/.912 with 24 homers, 35 doubles, eight triples and 90 RBI.

He enjoyed another good year in 2022 after slashing .262/.345/.461/.807 with 19 doubles, four triples, 27 home runs and 62 RBI. Defensively, Reynolds has finished as a finalist for the Gold Glove once in his career and, while his defense regressed slightly in 2022, he boasts a solid glove, can make elite plays and he would provide any lineup with some major pop to go along with an ability to get on base and put the ball in play.

Reynolds is under control through 2025 and signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract earlier this offseason in order to avoid arbitration. The 27-year-old has long attracted the interest of teams in need of a high-end outfielder and, per Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the Mets could be a fit for the All-Star if they fail to re-sign Nimmo this winter. With an improved and restocked farm system, the front office would have the pieces required to be able to go out and trade for a player like Reynolds, who is a younger version of Nimmo and who would be able to fill a very similar role.

Pulling the trigger on a trade for a player of Reynold’s caliber would also underline owner Steve Cohen’s commitment to building a sustained winner in Queens. It would also give the Mets a controllable player performing at an elite level and about to hit his absolute peak levels. A switch-hitter that can hit home runs, get on base and play good defense is a rare commodity and Reynolds could now become one of the biggest storylines of this offseason.