Reds MLB trade deadline primer: 3 early storylines to watch

There are still about six weeks until the trade deadline, and since the Reds went from having sole possession of last place in the National League Central to sole possession of second place in the span of 45 hours last week, it’s probably too early to talk about what could happen then.

Yet, it’s getting close to the time when teams start examining what they can do to improve their playoff chances, so it’s worth thinking ahead.

Where do they stand?

As noted, there’s no telling what things will look like at the end of July. By that time, Christian Encarnacion-Strand could be back, as could Noelvi Marte.

GO DEEPER

Reds' Noelvi Marte to begin return from suspension at Triple-A Louisville

With the mediocrity in the National League, the Reds don’t necessarily need to go on a wild win streak to stay in contention. It could also mean there may not be too many sellers, which would impact what the Reds could acquire even if they are actively buying. That’s what happened last year when the team added just lefty reliever Sam Moll.

Two years ago, the Reds were one of the sellers and played that well, turning Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle into Spencer Steer, Marte, Encarnacion-Strand and others (including a player who was part of the deal that brought Will Benson to Cincinnati).

The Reds don’t have one of the type of players they’d be willing to swap for a similar haul this year, so a repeat of that year seems far-fetched.

Last year, the team could’ve used another arm or bat and missed the playoffs by just two games.

Short-term improvements?

The easiest way to bolster short-term results would be to add to the bullpen. The problem is that there isn’t a buyer in baseball who isn’t looking for relievers around the trade deadline.

Last year, the team sent right-hander Joe Boyle to Oakland for Moll, who has been excellent in his time in Cincinnati. Boyle was called up to the A’s last season and pitched well. He started his season in Oakland’s rotation, but after a trip to the injured list, he was optioned to Triple A.

The Reds have prospects they can dangle in front of teams, but they don’t have too many players on expiring contracts who could net young players in return.

Relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson are free agents after the season, while starter Frankie Montas is on a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2025, and lefty reliever Brent Suter and catcher Luke Maile are on one-year deals with club options.

Sims, Wilson and Suter could bring back some help, but the most obvious need to get through the season is the bullpen, so it would mostly be like rearranging furniture more than anything.

Long-term improvements?

If the Reds want to bring an impact player in, it wouldn’t be with a rental, it would be with either a young player or a prospect.

The team has multiple infield prospects in their system but doesn’t have as many outfielders. Some of those infielders, of course, could move to the outfield — and the team will add another top prospect with the No. 2 pick in the draft. But looking at long-term improvements, adding outfielders seems the most logical way to improve the lineup.

For the Reds or any team to add impact players, there must be teams looking to sell. The White Sox will likely hold a fire sale, and a player like Luis Robert Jr. would look mighty formidable in 81 games at Great American Ball Park. He wouldn’t come cheap, and the White Sox are also likely to have their share of interested parties in Robert.

Any rotation can be improved upon, but it doesn’t seem like the team would spend its prospect capital there, especially with talented young arms in the system.

Yes, teams will ask about the same players they wanted for big moves last year — Matt McLain, Encarnacion-Strand, Andrew Abbott — but the first two have dealt with injuries this season, driving down their value even if the team did entertain offers. Abbott and Carson Spiers are on the rise and still cheap, while Connor Phillips and Chase Petty have struggled this year and may not be as attractive as they have been in the past.

Reds MLB trade deadline primer: 3 early storylines to watch

Where do they stand?

Short-term improvements?

Long-term improvements?

Further reading: