CINCINNATI -- The Aug. 3 Trade Deadline is nearing but the high gear of rumors and actual activity doesn't kick in until after the All-Star break. A year ago and in the mix for a playoff spot, the Reds were buyers.
This year? All signs point to Cincinnati being sellers.
President of baseball operations Nick Krall has not signaled publicly that's the direction the Reds will go. Back in early June -- after a month of struggles -- when asked by MLB.com about the club's Deadline intentions, Krall said this:
“If we can keep our heads above water, we have a shot to hang in there. You’re going to have to take some more time before we can figure out exactly who we are and what we can do.”
The club has only taken on more water since. Beginning May 1, the last-place Reds have a 22-49 record that is the worst in Major League Baseball, and they're 42-50 overall. Cincinnati is nine games out of first place in the National League Central, and nine games back for the final NL Wild Card berth after a 1-0 loss to the Phillies.
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The Reds entered Thursday with the second-toughest remaining schedule (.533 opponent win percentage) in MLB, and they're 5-20 playing in their own division.
With the young talent already here, don't expect a fire sale and total rebuild. Think more of a retooling.
Let's take a look at some possible options.
Makes the most sense
C Tyler Stephenson, 3B/DH Eugenio Suárez, 1B/DH Nathaniel Lowe, LHPs Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke, RHPs Brady Singer and Pierce Johnson
These players will be free agents after the season, so it would be best to try moving some dollars off the books and get something in return before seeing them depart for zero compensation.
This includes the Reds' longest-tenured player in Stephenson, their 2015 first-round Draft pick who is having a subpar offensive season, but has been an ABS challenge master.
Suárez, who was moved from Arizona to Seattle at last year's Deadline, slugged 49 home runs in 2025 but has only nine through 64 games this season. Lowe offers lefty power and postseason experience. Singer was rocky early on before finding a groove and posting a 2.86 ERA over his past six starts. The three relievers -- Ferguson, Burke and Johnson -- all have postseason experience.
Less obvious
RHP Hunter Greene
Greene is signed through 2028 with a club option for '29, and his $8.3 million salary in 2026 jumps to $15.3 million in '27, and then $16.3 million in '28. The option is worth $21 million ($2 million buyout). That money could be reallocated to add more Major League players via free agency and trades.
Greene's talent is elite but durability issues -- including his missing four months of this year because of surgery that removed bone chips from his right elbow -- could hamper the return. He fared poorly in his season debut on Saturday vs. the Orioles, when he gave up eight earned runs over 3 1/3 innings.
LHP Nick Lodolo
Under club control through 2027, Lodolo has had injury issues as well. But his upside -- being left-handed with an elite breaking ball and his ability to get on a roll -- makes him attractive to clubs. But both Greene and Lodolo would be hard to part with for a Reds team that would need starting pitching to contend next season.
UTIL Spencer Steer
Under club control through 2028, Steer is on pace for a fourth-straight 20-homer season. But he has also added value of strong defense at up to five positions -- first base (2025 Gold Glove finalist), second base, third base, left field and right field.
Unlikely
OF JJ Bleday
Signed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract before this season, Bleday is also under club control through 2028. He's enjoying a rebound year with 14 home runs and plays both corner outfield spots. All of that makes him a buy-low, sell-high candidate. But it's exactly why the Reds would want to keep his left-handed bat in the fold.
Why is De La Cruz even mentioned? Because it appears inevitable that the superstar will depart in search of a blockbuster contract as a free agent after 2029, his final year of club control. His value for a return right now would be astronomical. But it would be a terrible look right now for the Reds to deal their most marketable player. That's a firesale-type move when they should only think of retooling.
No way
RHP Chase Burns, LHP Andrew Abbott, 1B/3B Sal Stewart
No explanation needed.
Could the listed players change categories? Could the Reds get on a serious win streak and become buyers? Could they simultaneously buy and sell?
Around the Trade Deadline, just about anything is possible.