It’s trade deadline day, and the Reds are staring at a season that’s gone sideways. Cincinnati sits at 53-58, and Fangraphs gives them just a 2.2% shot at reaching the playoffs.
That’s not the kind of number that invites caution. It screams sell.
If the Reds are serious about looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, they need to be aggressive. That starts with moving the pieces who can still bring back value before the deadline closes.
Brady Singer is the kind of arm contenders always circle. Starting pitching gets expensive in a hurry this time of year, and even if rental starters haven’t fetched huge returns yet, the Reds still need to see what they can get.
Singer has been strong since June began, posting a 3.08 ERA in June and a 2.37 ERA in July. He takes the ball every five days, he’s been pitching well, and his contract expires at the end of this year.
That combination makes him a clear trade candidate.
Tyler Stephenson should be right there with him. He’s been scorching at the plate since June 21, putting up a 177 wRC+ while slashing .353/.433/.600 with 13 extra-base hits, including four home runs.
He’s also on an expiring deal, and that matters. Stephenson is one of the better catchers available, which gives the Reds a real chance to cash in.
If Cincinnati wants him back in 2027, the offseason is still there. Keeping him through today just to risk losing that value would be a mistake.
Brock Burke is another name that should be in play. The Reds picked him up in the Gavin Lux trade during the offseason, and he’s given them real production out of the bullpen.
In 56 games, Burke has posted a 2.52 ERA and emerged as one of the most dependable relievers on the staff. Rental relievers don’t usually bring back massive hauls, but if Cincinnati isn’t planning to re-sign him, there’s no reason not to try to turn him into a prospect or two.
Nathaniel Lowe is the final piece. The Reds signed him to a minor league deal in Spring Training, and he’s turned that into a strong season.
Against right-handed pitchers, Lowe has slashed .286/.363/.522 in 251 plate appearances with 29 extra-base hits, including 12 home runs. If the Reds can get any kind of return for him, that’s a win after bringing him in on a minor league contract.
Nobody likes watching a team sell at the deadline. But with the Reds where they are and the playoff odds sitting at 2%, it’s the smarter play.
In Other News...
Reds Trade Deadline Plan Could Cost Them A Familiar Bat
With the trade deadline approaching, the Reds are taking a hard look at their roster and the market around it. Tyler Stephenson, Eugenio Surez and Brady Singer are all being floated as possible trade chips because of their expiring contracts, a sign Cincinnati is at least listening on veterans who could help another club down the stretch while also giving the front office some flexibility.
The more revealing part of the picture is that the Reds are also open to moving at least one hitter from a separate group that includes Nathaniel Lowe, JJ Bleday and Dane Myers. Spencer Steer had been in that conversation too before a wrist injury changed the equation, leaving Cincinnati to sort through a deadline plan that could reshape the lineup while potentially sending a familiar bat elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Stephenson Just Became A Reds Trade Deadline Dilemma
Tyler Stephensons recent stretch has quietly turned into one of the more interesting developments on the Reds roster. The catcher had been trending upward since early June, and his Fathers Day home run was another reminder that hes looking more like the kind of middle-of-the-order bat Cincinnati hoped he could become. For a team that values offense from behind the plate, that kind of production matters, especially when it comes from a right-handed hitter at a position that is always tough to fill.
The timing only makes the situation more complicated with the trade deadline approaching and catcher-needy clubs already searching for help. Stephensons improved bat has boosted his value at just the moment the market is tightening around available backstops, which puts the Reds in an uncomfortable spot. A player who helps them win now can also become exactly the kind of target other teams are lining up to pursue. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Deadline Could Bring Elly De La Cruz The Infield Help He Needs
The Reds are heading toward the trade deadline as expected sellers, and that puts a few familiar names in play. Players on expiring contracts such as Brady Singer and Tyler Stephenson could be moved, which would open room for Cincinnati to rework parts of the roster while keeping an eye on the young core already in place.
One path being discussed would send the club toward a young infielder who could help stabilize the group around Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart for the long haul. Cincinnati has spent plenty of time exploring different deadline scenarios, and this one is the kind that could shape not just the rest of the season, but the next few years as well. [Read more 🡒]