Reds Staying Hot as Trade Deadline Nears, Eyeing Reinforcements for Playoff Push
CINCINNATI — With the MLB Trade Deadline less than a week away and deals already starting to unfold, the Reds are heating up at just the right time. Friday night’s 7-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Great American Ball Park kicked off a critical homestand and marked their second straight victory, bringing them to 54-50—just one game back in the National League Wild Card race.
“Everyone knows the Deadline’s coming,” said starter Nick Martinez, who allowed two runs over five innings with five strikeouts. “The guys are locked in. We’re playing to win and make a push, and we’re showing it. That was a big win against a strong team.”
Coming off a 3-3 road trip through New York and Washington, the Reds are making their case as buyers ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline. The front office is reportedly in the market for late-inning bullpen help and a power bat to boost the heart of the lineup.
While trade talks intensify across the league, manager Terry Francona made it clear he won’t publicly call for upgrades.
“I’ve said it before—I believe in the guys we have,” Francona said. “You won’t hear me say we need something. That would send the wrong message to the players in this clubhouse. The front office is doing its part, and my job is to focus on these guys.”
Still, Cincinnati has been linked to third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who’s tied for fourth in MLB with 36 homers. However, after the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon from the Rockies—shifting their focus away from Suárez—the Reds’ odds of landing the slugger remain slim.
As Francona put it, “For every 100 trade rumors, one actually happens. All I care about is winning.”
That mindset was on full display Friday night. Down 2-1 in the fourth inning, the Reds used hustle and heads-up baserunning to spark a rally. A fortunate break came when a throw hit Austin Hays in the back, keeping the inning alive. A surprise bunt and aggressive baserunning by Will Benson led to the tying run, and Noelvi Marte followed with a go-ahead RBI single.
“I told Benson how huge that hustle play was,” Francona said. “If he’s out, the inning’s over. Instead, we took the lead.”
Cincinnati went 5-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base—but cashed in when it counted. Tyler Stephenson emphasized the importance of those moments: “We talk about it in hitters’ meetings. The more chances you get with guys in scoring position, the better shot you have to win.”
Now sitting third in the NL Central and aiming for their first full-season playoff appearance since 2013, the Reds are playing with urgency.
“It’s motivation,” Martinez said. “No one in this clubhouse wants to sell. We believe in this team and in Tito. We’re trying to win every game, and it’s starting to show.”
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