Major League Baseball teams often find themselves caught in the delicate balance between planning for the future and addressing the present. The Cincinnati Reds are a prime example of this conundrum.
With aspirations of a division title at the start of the season, they've since found themselves grappling with bullpen struggles, injuries, and a lack of production that has them languishing at the bottom of the NL Central. As the MLB trade deadline looms, the Reds are looking more like sellers, and several players' futures hang in the balance.
Let's dive into the situation surrounding five Reds players whose long-term outlook is anything but clear.
Spencer Steer, Reds Utility Player
Spencer Steer is a versatile player, a quality that should be an asset. However, his constant shuffling across the field has left him without a true position, except for first base where he excels defensively.
With two years of team control remaining post-2026, Steer could be an intriguing trade piece, potentially fetching a decent return. Despite his popularity among fans, his future with the Reds remains uncertain.
Nick Lodolo, Reds Left-Handed Pitcher
Nick Lodolo's situation is a classic case of what-ifs. The Reds missed a prime opportunity to trade him after the 2025 season, and now, with recurring blister issues, his trade value has diminished.
Lodolo's injury history presents a gamble for the Reds. They could offer him a contract extension laden with performance incentives or explore trade options in the offseason.
Either way, Lodolo's path forward is murky.
Matt McLain, Reds Infielder
Matt McLain's career has been a rollercoaster. After a promising rookie season in 2023, injuries have derailed his momentum.
Shoulder surgery in 2024 kept him off the field, and he hasn't been the same player since. Recently, the Reds have experimented with McLain in center field, a move that seems destined to fail.
This trial hints at the Reds' uncertainty regarding McLain's role in the team, leaving his future with the organization in question.
Noelvi Marte, Reds Outfielder
Noelvi Marte's transition from infielder to outfielder has been rocky. Initially brought in from the Mariners in the Luis Castillo trade, Marte's struggles with breaking balls and defensive positioning have been compounded by a PED suspension in 2024.
Despite these setbacks, his raw talent remains evident. The Reds are still waiting for that potential to shine through at the major league level.
TJ Friedl, Reds Outfielder
TJ Friedl's 2026 season has been a disappointment after a breakout year in 2025. Once a reliable leadoff hitter, Friedl's performance has dipped, and he's now in the minors.
With a salary just under $4 million this year, Friedl might be a candidate for non-tendering. His regression has been surprising, and it adds another layer of complexity to the Reds' decision-making process.
As the Reds approach the trade deadline, these players represent both challenges and opportunities. The decisions made now will shape the team's future, as they navigate the tricky waters of balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy.
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 🡒]