It’s been a tough season for Cincinnati Reds fans, as they come to grips with the reality that their team is struggling to keep pace in the fiercely competitive NL Central. With one of the league's most troubling run differentials and a spot at the bottom of the standings, Terry Francona’s crew is finding it hard to match up against the National League's powerhouses in 2026.
But let’s not throw in the towel just yet. The Reds are still in the hunt for an NL Wild Card spot, and the imminent return of Hunter Greene offers a glimmer of hope for those holding onto optimism.
Greene’s comeback could be a game-changer, but expecting him to single-handedly steer the team to success is a tall order. The Reds have seen too many of their expected stars falter this season, and that’s been a significant hurdle.
Eugenio Suárez, in particular, has struggled to meet expectations, and his performance could potentially see him on the trading block as the deadline approaches. While it’s unlikely the Reds will trade Suárez unless the team completely unravels before the August 3 deadline, the conversation is worth having. Suárez, a fan favorite and a major offseason acquisition, would be a surprising trade piece if the Reds remain within striking distance of a playoff berth.
Some fans argue that the team should consider capitalizing on Nathaniel Lowe’s breakout season by trading him instead. This move would allow Suárez to transition into a full-time designated hitter role, with occasional appearances at third base once Ke'Bryan Hayes is back in action.
From a strategic standpoint, this could streamline operations. Lowe has outperformed Suárez this year and comes with a smaller price tag.
Both players are on rental contracts, which might be appealing to teams looking to cut costs ahead of the anticipated 2027 lockout.
Suárez’s $15 million salary might be more palatable for some teams due to his rental status. However, his career-low 72 wRC+ and subpar defensive stats have resulted in a -0.6 fWAR this season. If his name weren’t attached, trading him might seem like a no-brainer to many fans.
While it wouldn’t be fair to call trading Suárez an “addition by subtraction,” it’s clear his performance hasn’t been up to par this season. If the Reds find themselves out of the playoff picture come August, the front office would be wise to explore potential trades for their pricey slugger.
In Other News...
The Reds Draft Regret That Keeps Looking More Brutal
The 2022 draft still looks like a pivot point for Cincinnati, especially when you line up the Reds early picks against how the board turned out. The club came away with Cam Collier, Sal Stewart and Logan Tanner, a group that at the time represented a mix of upside and organizational need, but the conversation around that class has only gotten louder as the years have passed.
Logan Tanners path has been the hardest to read, with his development stalling before he could get beyond High-A and the organization eventually shifting him from catcher to pitcher. He has yet to make that first mound appearance after landing on the 60-day injured list in March, while the arm the Reds let go elsewhere has surged into one of the most compelling starting pitchers in the league and a legitimate Cy Young threat. [Read more 🡒]
Emilio Pagan Is Suddenly At Center Of The Reds Bullpen Tension
Emilio Pagan took another step toward rejoining the Reds on his rehab assignment, working a clean inning in just nine pitches in his second outing. The right-handers brief tune-up comes at a time when Cincinnatis bullpen has been stretched in several directions, with Graham Ashcraft and Tony Santillan on the injured list and Pierce Johnson and Julian Garcia only recently back in the mix.
For a group already juggling late-inning roles and fresh arms, Pagans progress matters even more because the Reds have had to absorb other hits around the roster as well, from Eugenio Suarez leaving after being hit by a pitch to Blake Dunn going on the injured list and KeBryan Hayes continuing his rehab work. The next question is how soon the club decides it has seen enough from Pagan, and what move follows when the bullpen finally gets one more experienced option back in the door. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Let Another Winnable Game Slip As Brewers Pressure Builds
The Reds had another chance to steady themselves Sunday in Pittsburgh, but the series finale slipped away early and never really came back. Brady Singer took the ball after showing some recent promise, yet the second inning turned into another reminder of the volatility that has followed him at times this season, and Cincinnati was left chasing a 9-4 loss at PNC Park.
Tyler Callihans three-run homer put the Pirates in control, and the Reds could not answer enough to change the feel of the afternoon. A rain delay only added to the frustration, as Pittsburgh came back out and kept widening the gap, leaving Cincinnati at 39-43 and still searching for a way to stop these winnable games from getting away. [Read more 🡒]