By MIKE ROBERTS
The Cincinnati Reds have looked great fresh off the All-Star break, taking two of three from both the Colorado Rockies and the Seattle Mariners. Although they’re 4-2 to begin the second half of the season, the Reds, at 47-54, remain in last place in the National League Central, trailing the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by 16.5 games in the standings.
According to The Athletic, Cincinnati is expected to be a seller as the August 3 trade deadline nears. This week, let’s look at the case for and against the team selling at the deadline, and what should be the best solution.
The Case for Selling
The Reds are currently seven games below .500 with 61 games left to play. For contrast, the 2025 Reds, who clinched a wild card spot on the final day of the season, never fell more than four games under .500 last season, and that was on May 14. The odds are against Cincinnati making a successful climb back into postseason contention.
If Cincinnati does sell, look for a focus on moving players with expiring contracts. That means starting pitcher Brady Singer (5-9, 4.53 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) will likely be made available. The soon-to-be-30-year-old has pitched well recently and will be a free agent following the season. Several contenders would surely be interested in acquiring him, as teams are always searching for solid pitching help.
Reds relievers Caleb Ferguson (1-0, 3.98 ERA, 1.57WHIP) and Brock Burke (3-4, 2.87 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) are also on one-year deals. =
Among position players, hot trade targets include third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.208 AVG, .681 OPS, 13 HR, 37 RBI, 0 SB) and catcher Tyler Stephenson (.244 AVG, .712 OPS, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 0 SB). While Suarez is on a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2027, Stephenson is set to become a free agent. Stephenson provides catching depth, which is what many teams are seeking as the deadline approaches.
By selling, the Reds could pick up several prospects who might be able to help them compete later on. Sometimes in sports, it makes more sense to look into the future as opposed to focusing on the present.
The Case for Buying
A comeback is difficult, but not impossible. In 2024, the Detroit Tigers were out of it at 55-63, and acted accordingly at the trade deadline. Then the Tigers rallied winning an astonishing 31 games down the stretch to snag a playoff berth.
Maybe the Reds opt to be buyers. If that’s the case, they’ll look to acquire players who can help out the team this season instead of in 2027 and beyond.
What Should the Reds Do?
Veteran manager Terry Francona guided the overachieving Reds to the playoffs last season, which was his first year in Cincinnati. Although the team isn’t having a great 2026 campaign, Francona, a two-time World Series champion and three-time American League Manager of the Year, has a proven track record of success.
Yes, Cincy fans would love to see its squad turn things around and somehow reach the postseason. But perhaps the best solution is going the “seller” route and adding talent to bolster the future roster. Then within the next few years, the Reds could be in a much better position to become World Series contenders.
Even if the Reds go on a total fire sale, four players are bulletproof: shortstop Elly De La Cruz (.276 AVG, .855 OPS, 17 HR, 46 RBI, 16 SB), infielder Sal Stewart (.249 AVG, .799 OPS, 21 HR, 74 RBI, 11 SB), pitcher Chase Burns (12-1, 2.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP), and fellow starting pitcher Hunter Greene (21, 6.06 ERA, 1.16 WHIP). Each player is in their 20s and has been named an All-Star within the past two years. If Cincinnati does trade out players, they could be valuable supplemental pieces for the team’s key quartet.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Reds conclude a massive 10-day, nine-game road trip, playing a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals beginning Friday. Then they return home for a three-game series against the cross-state rival Cleveland Guardians, starting on Monday
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Friday, 7/24: 8:15 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Rhett Lowder (CIN) (3-7, 5.75 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) vs. Dustin May (STL) (5-7, 4.78, 1.32 WHIP)
Saturday, 7/25: 7:15 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Hunter Greene (CIN) 2-1, 6.06 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) vs. Andre Pallante (STL) (10-6, 4.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP)
Sunday, 7/26: 2:15 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Andrew Abbott (CIN) 5-6, 3.89 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) vs. Kyle Leahy (STL) (7-4, 3.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP)
Monday, 7/27: 7:10 PM, MLB.TV, TBD (CLE) vs. TBD (CIN)
Tuesday, 7/28: 7:10 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, TBD (CLE) vs. TBD (CIN)
Wednesday, 7/29: 7:10 PM, Reds.TV/ESPN/MLB.TV, TBD (CLE) vs. TBD (CIN)