MLB Rumors: Red Sox Linked To NL All-Star Outfielder

To say the Boston Red Sox outfield struggled in 2022 would be an understatement. Upgrading it will be one of the team's focuses this offseason. And despite the Pittsburgh Pirates' apparent reluctance to trade their 2021 All-Star Bryan Reynolds, his name has been on the trade rumor mill for what seems like years. Now add the Boston Red Sox to the mix. 

The Red Sox have expressed interest in Bryan Reynolds of the Pirates, according to @alexspeier.

The All-Star outfielder is under team control through the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/TUwEJ1matC

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) November 12, 2022

Red Sox outfielders in 2022 combined to hit .243 with a very weak .301 on-base percentage, an equally puny .375 slugging percentage and .676 OPS, while leaving the yard only 39 times.

The Boston Globe's Alex Speier wrote this weekend, "Trades are... possible. The Sox are among many teams to express interest in Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, as well as the Diamondbacks’ young outfield surplus, though the cost of either would be high.”

The 27-year-old Reynolds is still under team control for another three seasons, and after his second straight productive year with the Pirates, it would definitely take a well-heeled offer to land him. He was an All-Star in 2021, batting .302 with a .912 OPS. This year, his average was down to .262, but he still hit 27 homers and maintained an OPS over .800. His defensive metrics slipped in '22, but he was a Gold Glove finalist in '21.

The Red Sox have some work to do in the outfield and it'll be interesting to see if they step up to the plate to bring in a new starter there.

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports