It’s no surprise the Cincinnati Reds are looking to add a bat at the trade deadline. According to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, the Reds have had discussions with the Arizona Diamondbacks about bringing back former third baseman and current NL RBI leader Eugenio Suárez. Fellow Athletic reporter Ken Rosenthal added that the team is targeting a middle-of-the-order hitter and bullpen reinforcement.
Heading into Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay, the Reds trailed the division lead by 7.5 games but were just one game out of the final NL Wild Card spot. Their pitching has been strong — with a 116 ERA+ that ranks second in the league behind the Phillies — but their offense has lagged behind, with a 94 OPS+ that only tops the Pirates, Rockies, and Padres.
Adding a proven run producer to anchor the lineup seems to be the team’s most pressing need. Suárez is one of the more impactful bats available, but he’s far from the only option.
The Reds have the farm system depth to make a move if they’re willing to part with real value. In recent years, few teams have traded top prospects at the deadline — not a single Top 100 prospect changed teams last summer. That trend suggests that a club willing to trade from the top of its system could potentially land a premier player.
While catching the division leader may be a long shot, the Wild Card remains within reach. Cincinnati is well-positioned both to make a big addition and to climb the standings down the stretch.
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