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Singer Staying in Cincinnati? The Verdict Is In
The Cincinnati Reds’ Trade Deadline Dilemma: A Simple Guide
What’s Happening with the Reds?
Imagine you’re trying to sell some toys at a garage sale. You have some nice items, but buyers keep saying, "I’ll take it only if I can’t find something better first." That’s exactly where the Cincinnati Reds find themselves right now.
The Reds have several players they could trade to other teams, but there’s a catch: none of them are anyone’s first choice.
The Current Situation
Important Point: The Reds are currently 53-58 — that means they’ve lost 5 more games than they’ve won. They’re in last place in their division (the NL Central) and 5.5 games behind the last playoff spot. In baseball terms, their season is slipping away.
The "For Sale" Players (But Nobody’s First Pick)
1. Tyler Stephenson — The Catcher
- Status: Free agent after this season (can leave for nothing)
- Recent Hot Streak: Since Father’s Day, he’s hitting .353 with 4 home runs and 9 doubles — that’s really good!
- Interested Team: New York Yankees need a right-handed hitting catcher
- The Problem: Yankees would prefer a catcher with a longer track record of being an offensive superstar
- Competition: Yankees are also eyeing Hunter Goodman (Rockies) and Adley Rutschman (Orioles)
2. Other Players on Expiring Contracts
All of these players become free agents after this season, meaning the Reds would lose them for nothing if they don’t trade them now:
| Player | Position | What Teams Think |
|---|---|---|
| Brady Singer | Starting Pitcher | "Nice backup option" |
| Nathaniel Lowe | 1st Base/DH | "Solid fallback choice" |
| Brock Burke | Left-handed Reliever | "Good depth piece" |
| Caleb Ferguson | Left-handed Reliever | "Nice bullpen addition" |
| Eugenio Suárez | 3rd Base/DH | "Veteran backup plan" |
Key Insight: Being a "fallback option" means teams are waiting to see if they can get someone better first. The Reds are stuck waiting for other teams to make up their minds.
The "NOT For Sale" Players (The Untouchables)
These players are the future of the franchise. The Reds would only trade them for an "obvious and overwhelming overpay" — think: getting a king’s ransom in return.
Hunter Greene — Ace Starting Pitcher
- Under team control through 2029
- One of the best young pitchers in baseball
Elly De La Cruz — Superstar Shortstop
- Under team control through 2029
- One of the most exciting, dynamic players in the game
Chase Burns — Rising Star Pitcher
- Recently signed a contract extension
- Part of the "core three" with Greene and De La Cruz
Think of it this way: These three are like the foundation of a house. You don’t sell the foundation unless someone offers you a mansion in return.
The "Maybe Available" Outfielders
Two outfielders have more team control (won’t be free agents soon), so they have more trade value:
- JJ Bleday — Left-handed hitting outfielder
- Dane Myers — Right-handed hitting center fielder
The Catch: The Reds don’t have ready-to-play replacements for either player in 2027. Trading them would create a hole they can’t easily fill.
Why Does This Matter?
For the Reds Front Office:
- They want to restock the farm system (get young talent for the future)
- But they can’t just give away players — they need fair value
- Being "Plan B" for other teams lowers their negotiating power
For Fans:
- Don’t expect blockbuster trades for the big names (Greene, De La Cruz, Burns)
- Expect smaller moves involving the expiring contracts
- The team is building around their young core for 2025 and beyond
Summary
| Category | Players | Likelihood of Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Core/Untouchable | Hunter Greene, Elly De La Cruz, Chase Burns | Extremely Low (only for massive overpay) |
| Trade Candidates (Expiring) | Tyler Stephenson, Brady Singer, Nathaniel Lowe, Brock Burke, Caleb Ferguson, Eugenio Suárez | Moderate (but viewed as fallback options) |
| Trade Candidates (Controlled) | JJ Bleday, Dane Myers | Low-Moderate (Reds lack 2027 replacements) |
The Reds are in a tricky spot: sellers with merchandise that buyers don’t urgently need. They’ll likely make some moves, but don’t expect fireworks — more like a quiet yard sale where the best items aren’t even priced to sell.
FAQ
Q: Why won’t the Reds trade Elly De La Cruz or Hunter Greene?
A: They’re the franchise cornerstones — young, incredibly talented, and under team control for five more years. Trading them would be like tearing down a house you just built. Only a truly ridiculous offer (think: multiple top prospects + major league stars) would even get the Reds to pick up the phone.
Q: What does "fallback option" mean in trades?
A: It means Team A (like the Yankees) likes Player X (Stephenson), but prefers Player Y (Goodman or Rutschman). Team A will wait on Player Y first. Only if they can’t get Player Y will they circle back to Player X. This gives the Reds less leverage — they can’t demand as much in return.
Q: What happens if the Reds don’t trade Tyler Stephenson?
A: He becomes a free agent after the season and can sign with any team for zero compensation to the Reds. The Reds would get nothing but a draft pick (if they make a qualifying offer). That’s why trading him now — even as a fallback option — is better than losing him for almost nothing.
Q: Who is Chase Burns and why does he matter?
A: Burns is a highly touted young pitcher the Reds recently drafted and quickly signed to a contract extension. He represents the third pillar of their pitching future alongside Hunter Greene and another top prospect. The Reds locked him up early because they believe he’s a future ace.
Q: When is the trade deadline?
A: The MLB trade deadline is typically July 31st at 6:00 PM ET. All trades must be completed by then for players to be eligible for postseason rosters with their new teams.
