With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, the Cincinnati Reds find themselves in a state of uncertainty. While many fans and analysts expect the Reds to be buyers, there’s still a chance the team could become sellers instead.
Cincinnati has hovered around the .500 mark throughout the season. Though they remain in the NL Wild Card race, several teams ahead of them are expected to make aggressive moves at the deadline — potentially complicating the Reds’ path forward.
If the Reds can’t string together wins over the next several days, the front office may pivot from buying to selling. That shift could put a few players — who might currently believe they’re safe — on the trading block after all.
Top star has surfaced in several reports as a possible trade candidate ahead of the MLB trade deadline. In a scenario where the Reds had a fully healthy rotation, moving Martinez might be more logical. However, with Hunter Greene currently on the injured list and Chase Burns operating under an innings limit, trading the veteran right-hander could be a risky move.
Still, if a strong offer comes in, don’t be surprised if Martinez is dealt before the weekend. Should the Reds fall more than five games behind in the Wild Card race by the deadline, team president Nick Krall may feel compelled to at least consider any serious inquiries from interested teams.
Like Martinez, Emilio Pagán is in the final year of his two-year contract with the Reds. He’s performed well as the team’s closer this season, but Cincinnati is expected to transition the role to one of its younger arms in 2025. Pitchers such as Zach Maxwell, Tony Santillan, and Graham Ashcraft are all potential candidates to take over late-inning duties next year.
Dealing Pagán would be a clear indication that the Reds are shifting focus away from competing in 2025. If the team finds itself out of contention by the July 31 deadline, the veteran reliever could net a solid return in the form of prospects.
Trading Tyler Stephenson at the MLB trade deadline — like moving Nick Martinez or Emilio Pagán — would signal that the Reds are effectively conceding the 2025 season. However, with Stephenson entering the final year of arbitration in 2026 and no long-term extension in place, the possibility can’t be ruled out.
The Reds already have Jose Trevino under contract through at least the next two seasons, and top catching prospect Alfredo Duno is expected to make a significant impact in the near future. Although injuries hampered Stephenson earlier in the year, he remains an above-average hitter and could be an appealing upgrade for teams in need of catching help at the deadline.