The Cincinnati Reds are five hundred as we are a week away from the All-Star game. The Reds have a 46-46 record. They are eight and a half games back in the NL Central. The Reds trail behind the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals. They sit four and a half games back in the wild card race. For the optimistic Reds fan in me, let’s, for the sake of this exercise, say the Reds are buyers. So here are three trade ideas for the Cincinnati Reds for a second-half push. The Reds are getting healthy. They have received some great pitching from the likes of Hunter Greene pre-injury. Andrew Abbott has also contributed significantly.
With Chase Burns making his debut, the Reds have displayed their potential. A few people and GMs around baseball note the Reds as the team to watch this second half. Not saying they can mirror the Diamondbacks of 2023. They have the talent to make some noise, especially if Matt McLain can rebound in the second half.
If they were buyers at the deadline, this is what I would do. I would take these actions if I were GM of the Cincinnati Reds. My goal would be to maintain key young assets. I would target help with a year or two of control left on the contract. Yes, that will drive the price up, but hear me out and you’ll see what I’m going for.
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Team Needs
Outfield
The Cincinnati Reds could use another Outfielder who can get on base. Luis Robert Jr has been linked to the Reds since last winter. Jarren Duran’s name has been tossed around as well. Even Byron Buxton’s name was mentioned over the last few days as a potential fit for the Reds.
Robert just does not look like the same player as he did in 2023 when he hit 38 home runs. He had a .264 batting average. He currently has a .185 average and eight home runs. Duran could be the odd man out in Boston’s outfield. He is speculated to be the most likely piece to be moved.
He is currently hitting .257 with 23 doubles, ten triples, six home runs, 45 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. Buxton has a no-trade clause through the 2026 season. A move for him would have to be approved by him. That is a non-starter for me. He is the Twins‘ best hitter, but comes with his injury concerns. Honestly, the Reds have enough of those already.
Buxton does have 20 home runs, 53 RBI, 16 steals, and a .270 average right now for the Twins. Both Robert Jr and Duran have club options after this year. Robert Jr options 2026 and 2027 seasons. Duran has three years of control left with a team option in 2026. If picked up, this would grant them control through the 2028 season. These are his final arbitration years. He would be eligible to be a free agent after the 2028 season.
Bullpen Help
Middle Innings
The Cincinnati Reds have Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, and Graham Ashcraft available for the middle innings. They are ahead of the current closer, Emilio Pagan. Two right-handed relief pitchers that could make sense are Pittsburgh’s Dennis Santana and Colorado’s Jake Bird.
Santana has pitched in 38 games for the Pirates this year with a 2-1 record over 38 innings. Santana has a 1.42 ERA, a 0.76 WHIP, 28 strikeouts, and held opponents to a .168 average against. Bird also has a 2-1 record over 38 games, and 48 and one-third innings pitched this year. Bird has 58 strikeouts to go with his 2.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and .242 average against.
An interesting detail on Bird’s season is that he has been better at Coors Field than on the road. He has a 1.71 ERA at home and a 4.09 ERA on the road. Both of these arms are rentals. They are under contract just for this season with their current teams. This should keep the asking price low.
Swing for the Fences Move
Big Bat or Elite Closer
A reunion with Eugenio Suarez has been considered at times over the past 10 days. The Cincinnati Reds would have to pay a hefty price. That is, if the Diamondbacks decide to move on from their current third baseman. If they do sell, there will be plenty of interested teams. Seattle, Detroit, and the Yankees, to name a few, will all pursue Suarez. This will happen if Arizona falls further out over the upcoming weeks. Suarez has 28 home runs, 74 RBI, and a .252 batting average for the Diamondbacks. Suarez’s contract includes a team option for the 2026 season. There is a buyout for two million dollars if it is not exercised.
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Elite Closer
Cleveland’s closer, Emmanuel Clase, is under team control with club options through the 2028 season. One of the game’s best closers over the past few seasons might be on the trading block. This player could change the look of the Reds’ bullpen in a hurry. Pagan moves into the eighth-inning role. Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, and Graham Ashcraft fill in the sixth and seventh innings as needed. Clase has 79 saves since the 2022 season. This season, the Guardians have struggled. They might look to cash in on some of their assets. They are looking towards the future.
If I were GM
As I mentioned, these names were all ideas if the Reds were to be buyers. The Reds could make a move for one or two. Alternatively, they could make a move for no one. I am looking to make a playoff push this year. I aim to ensure this club makes consistent playoff appearances. This plan is for the duration Elly De La Cruz wears his Reds jersey. There is no telling what the future holds when it comes to his next contract and where he plays, unfortunately. Cruz is a free agent after the 2029 season. With that in mind, this is what I suggest.
Trade One
Boston Red Sox Receive: Chase Petty SP (5th-ranked Prospect), Alfredo Duno C (6th-ranked prospect), and Luke Hayden.
Cincinnati Reds Receive: Jarren Duran OF
Why: The Reds need an outfielder who can get on base and hit with power. Duran, as mentioned, fills the stats sheets with doubles, triples, home runs, and can steal bases with his elite speed. Imagine Duran, McLain, and Elly at the top of the Reds order for the next few seasons?
For the Red Sox, they needed pitching depth. While Chase Petty hasn’t had any big league success to date, he does have tons of upside. He offers potential for a club that needs pitching depth in its system. Duno replaces Kyle Teel, who the Red Sox moved as part of the return for the Garrett Crochet deal.
Luke Hayden is another pitching prospect for the Red Sox to build on. To some, it may seem like an overspend. Duran is a special kind of player. Someone else will pay the same, if not more, for him. This blend of prospects should entice the Red Sox. It might not get it done, but it’s worth a shot.
Trade Two:
Colorado Rockies Receive: Their pick between Rece Hinds or Will Benson
Cincinnati Reds Receive: Jake Bird
Why: Keep in mind this trade assumes Jarren Duran is an everyday outfielder for the Reds. Therefore, sending Benson or Hinds to Colorado is simple. The Rockies receive MLB-proven talent with years of control that has plenty of pop for a team struggling offensively. It might require a player to be named later to complete this deal due to demand. If the cost is too high, I would propose the same deal to the Pirates for Santana. Either arm works, but I prefer Bird’s strikeout ability in relief over Santana personally.
Trade Three:
Cleveland Guardians Receives: Sal Stewart 3B/2B (3rd ranked prospect), Hector Rodriguez OF (11th ranked prospect), Zach Maxwell RHP (23rd ranked prospect), and Tyler Callihan 2B (29th ranked prospect)
Cincinnati Reds Receives: Emmanuel Clase
Why: The Guardians are rebuilding to compete in the AL Central. A young bat like Sal Stewart would be a good fit. A young bat like Sal Stewart would be a good fit. He would complement Ramirez, Manzardo, and Steven Kwan in the upcoming years. Hector Rodriguez is a talented outfielder currently in Double-A who hits for power, something the Guardians currently lack. Maxwell and Callihan both provide upside as top thirty prospects within the Reds organization. For the Reds, this would provide an elite closer for the future. It would also give them an improved roster during the next few seasons.
Summary
Again, this entire process is what I would do if they were to buy, keep that in mind. This process was aimed at improving the chances for a playoff spot this year. It was also meant to build for the next three years while Elly Da La Cruz called Cincinnati home. I am aware we have given up a large chunk of our prospect pool. However, in this process, Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Cam Collier remain with the Reds organization. Edwin Arroyo and Tyson Lewis are also still part of the team.
With the three proposed trades above, the Reds now have another superstar in the lineup to pair with Cruz. Duran is an all-star. He has all the tools to have success in Cincinnati. Clase solidifies the back end of the bullpen and also allows him to reunite with old manager Terry Francona. His addition would allow Pagan to slide back into an eighth-inning role. This shift would generate a heck of a one-two punch in the back end of the bullpen. Adding Byrd or Santana provides depth to the middle of the bullpen. These additions give Francon options at very little cost, with everything else considered.
