This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CINCINNATI -- Welcome to Friday, aka the final weekend of 2026 that the market is open for deals before Monday's 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
With the Reds (51-57) holding a 1.8% chance of reaching the playoffs, per FanGraphs (as of 11 p.m. ET Thursday), selling seems all but assured. That means these could be the final games in a Cincinnati uniform for a few players.
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For several weeks, scouts from contending clubs have been watching Reds games at Great American Ball Park and on the road -- all looking to make possible upgrades at different spots.
There are the seven Reds on an expiring contract this season who could be a rental for contenders, and a couple players under club control who have drawn interest. Here is another look at how they've all played lately -- with potential destinations for each.
SP Brady Singer
5-10, 4.35 ERA, 21 starts, 107 2/3 innings, 91 strikeouts
Contract status: Free agent after the season
What to know: Singer's season didn't begin well (6.18 ERA over his first 11 starts), but he turned things around to post a 2.73 ERA over his last nine games. His last outing on Wednesday vs. the Guardians lasted only 4 1/3 innings, with four unearned runs after middle-infield defense broke down behind him in the fifth inning and his command of the strike zone faded with three walks. Singer turns 30 on Tuesday.
Possible fits: White Sox, Padres, Braves, Cubs, Phillies, Rays, Twins
SP Hunter Greene
2-2, 7.06 ERA, four starts, 21 2/3 innings, 29 strikeouts
Contract status: Signed through 2028, with a club option for 2029
What to know: Greene is scheduled to face Paul Skenes and the Pirates on Friday night. Other than Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Greene is the most talented starting pitcher on the market -- if the Reds decide to move him -- and a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand there was a "50-50" chance that could happen. Greene's contract isn't a burden -- he is owed $15 million in 2027, $16 million in 2028 and has a $21 million club option for 2029 with a $2 million buyout. His durability issues -- including bone chips removed from his elbow this year and not debuting until July 4 -- are well documented. But with so few game-changing starters out there, the Reds could get a far bigger return for the soon-to-be 27-year-old than for any of their rentals.
Possible fits: Rays, Blue Jays, Cubs, Dodgers, Orioles
3B Eugenio Suárez
.202 with .666 OPS, 14 HRs, 39 RBIs, 78 games
Contract status: Free agent after the season
What to know: A popular player in clubhouses and with fans everywhere he's been, the 35-year-old Suárez was moved from Arizona to Seattle at last year's Trade Deadline and went on to hit a career-high-tying 49 homers. His return to Cincinnati (where he played from 2015-21) on a one-year, $15 million contract hasn't reached those power heights, but he's always a threat to change a game.
Possible fits: Red Sox, Phillies
C Tyler Stephenson
.251 with .731 OPS, 8 HRs, 29 RBIs, 83 games
Contract status: Free agent after the season
What to know: A homegrown Red taken in the first round of the 2015 Draft who debuted in 2020, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is the club's longest-tenured player. Stephenson's offensive numbers have waned in recent seasons, but he's batting .343 with a .938 OPS in 33 games since June 7. And for clubs that want improvement at ABS challenges from their catchers, he's ranked among the best at being successful.
Possible fits: Yankees, White Sox, Red Sox, Rays, Rangers
OF JJ Bleday
.228 with .800 OPS, 18 HRs, 45 RBIs, 80 games
Contract status: Club control through 2028
What to know: Proving to be a steal for $1.4 million after he was non-tendered by the A's in the offseason, Bleday has been a big lefty bat and good corner outfielder for the Reds. He's close to his career high of 20 homers. However, his lower salary and club control status for two more years make it more likely he sticks around, unless an offer is too good to pass.
Possible fits: Astros
1B/DH Nathaniel Lowe
.255 with .804 OPS, 12 HRs, 34 RBIs, 80 games
Contract status: Free agent after the season
What to know: Lowe, who was signed to a Minor League contract during Spring Training and made the club out of camp, provides left-handed power and leadership. He also has postseason experience, and won the World Series with the Rangers in 2023.
Possible fits: Diamondbacks
RPs Brock Burke, Caleb Ferguson and Pierce Johnson
Contract statuses: All can be free agents after the season.
What to know: These three are grouped together because they're all veterans with postseason experience. Ferguson, a lefty, was moved at both of the last two Trade Deadlines. Burke, another lefty who was also part of the '23 Rangers, leads the National League in appearances and has been solid all season. Johnson, a right-hander, has an $8 million mutual option for 2027 with a $1 million buyout.
Possible fits: Almost every contender is looking for bullpen help.
