The Reds' deadline strategy is multiple things at once

This 2025 Cincinnati Reds trade deadline is a rorschach test.

They got better and significantly deeper as they acquired Ke’Bryan Hayes, Zack Littell and Miguel Andujar this week in deals where the Reds only traded prospects. But these are more contributors than core players.

It was the Reds’ most aggressive deadline in years. But the Reds were much less aggressive than both of the teams that they’re chasing in the NL Wild Card race.

The most obvious thing for the Cincinnati Reds to do at the trade deadline would have been adding an impact power hitter. It would have looked like welcoming Eugenio Suárez back to Cincinnati and adding a slugger who’s capable of changing a big game. The Reds didn’t do that this week, but they did get a guy in Andujar who’s great vs. left-handed pitching.

The Reds were active, but they were miles away from all-in.

“I’ve said this from the get go,” Nick Krall said. “We’re trying to build from within. We need to build this core from within, but we want to put ourselves in a position where we can be buyers at the trade deadline. That’s where we are.”

The overall tone at Great American Ball Park on Thursday was a very positive one. Players were publicly asking for the front office to do something, and the front office showed real confidence in this Reds team by dealing prospects for big leaguers.

The moves also helped generate some buzz in the clubhouse. As Krall said, the offense, defense and pitching staff is all better than it was a few days ago.

“It’s super exciting,” Nick Martinez said. “It’s great to know. We’re working hard to get to the playoffs, and the front office feels the same way. It gives us a clear identity and a clear path.”

But as the Reds went through the trade deadline process, they also ran into some guardrails.

The Phillies and Padres were both aggressive because that’s what they do. Philadelphia added a star closer and also the Ke’Bryan Hayes of center fielders (Harrison Bader). The Padres, holding a three-game lead over the Reds for the final wild card spot, added a star closer, an All-Star slugger, a starting catcher and a strong right-handed platoon outfielder.

The Phillies and Padres both improved more than the Reds did.

“You let that play its course,” Krall said. “They’re doing their own thing. We were talking about that downstairs. We can’t worry about what everyone is doing. We’ve got a game tonight.”

The Padres and Reds in particular had similar needs entering the week, and San Diego acquired players in Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano who would have been even better fits in Cincinnati. The Padres were more aggressive and more flexible to make some extra moves, and they’re the team that got more power.

Payroll was a part of the equation for the Reds, as it always is. This week, while they made three moves, the Reds only took on about $3 million in payroll.

Including Taylor Rogers in the Ke’Bryan Hayes was a red flag. Sending Rogers to Pittsburgh made the money almost even on both sides of the trade, which was a part of the deal getting done. The Pirates then flipped Rogers to the Cubs for a prospect.

Impact bats like O’Hearn, Laureano, Suárez, Josh Naylor and Cedric Mullins changed teams this week. Either the Reds didn’t have the payroll flexibility to complete another deal (Krall had previous said the Reds only had a bit of payroll flexibility remaining), or they couldn’t afford to deal more from their farm system for those types of players. There’s a payroll implication in that as well because the Reds have to build this team from within instead of diving headfirst into free agency.

The biggest bet of the week for the Reds was Hayes. He has been one of the worst hitters in baseball over the last two seasons, but he’s an elite defender. The Reds also identified some areas for him to improve as a hitter. If Hayes is even a league-average bat, then the trade will be a win for the Reds.

“A lot of the ingredients are there,” hitting coach Chris Valaika said. “He has shown that throughout his career. He can impact the ball. There are some things… If we can minimize some of the ground balls, especially in our ball park the way it can play. He takes professional at-bats. He hits the ball hard. Right now, let him go play and let’s see what the game tells us.”

Andujar gives the Reds something that they’ve needed for years — an impact right-handed platoon partner for Jake Fraley/Will Benson/Gavin Lux. Since the start of the 2023 season, among batters with at least 100 plate appearances vs. LHP, Andujar has the third-best OPS (.977) in all of MLB.

“Andujar is one of the best players in baseball at hitting left-handed pitching,” Krall said. “He fits as a middle of the order bat against lefties.”

If Andujar starts a game on the bench, he finally gives the Reds an impact pinch-hit option who can punish teams that try to attack the middle of the Reds’ order with left-handed relievers.

Andujar is an option at first base, third base, the outfield and DH. He grades out poorly defensively, but the bat is a significant upgrade in the Connor Joe role.

The Reds have added two position players this week without trading any, and now there’s a roster crunch. Instead of dealing some of that new depth for a pitcher or a prospect, the Reds held onto it all.

It’s an imperfect 26-man roster with some redundancies. There are two spots in the lineup for Gavin Lux, Noelvi Marte, Jake Fraley and Will Benson vs. RHP, Right now, there are seven outfielders on the roster (most of the team has infield/outfield versatility). With Andujar being activated soon and TJ Friedl set to come back from the paternity list, the Reds have two roster moves to make this weekend.

‘There’s playing time for everybody,” Krall said. “Some guys need days off. Some guys play different positions. Some guys may DH some. Tito is excited to have the options.”

Littell joins the Reds’ rotation, but he’s also a versatile pitcher with late game relief experience. Rays manager Kevin Cash is a close friend of Francona’s and he told the Reds’ manager that Littell is a lot like Nick Martinez.

The Littell deal wouldn’t have worked without Martinez, who now slides to the bullpen. On a day where prices for relief pitchers were astronomical, the Reds added a low-cost starter and found an impact setup reliever from within.

“With what the asking prices in the bullpen were, we had a guy who not only could do it very well but was willing to do it and we could get a starter,” Francona said. “I’ve been doing this a long time. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a veteran guy so willingly say he’ll do whatever you want (like Martinez did).”

Martinez’s teammates are amazed by his versatility. Wade Miley said, “That’s the Shohei Ohtani of just pitching. Whenever you need him, he’s ready.”

Martinez takes pride in this. He’s a winner.

“If you’re playing poker, every team is trying to put out the best hand,” Martinez said. “I’m like the wild card. Use it however you want. Four of a kind. Full house. I just want to win ball games in whatever capacity it might come in.”

Ultimately, the Reds will go as far as the young core can lead them. For a variety of reasons, it’s never been their style to be the most aggressive team. Unlike teams like the Padres and Phillies, the Reds can’t afford to outspend their mistakes.

This week, the Reds had to be a bit creative by bolstering their defense, rotation and bench instead of strengthening the middle of their lineup or dealing for a closer. Because they’re not going to be the most aggressive, the Reds’ deadline can’t address all of their needs with the best players available.

Still, they’re in the race as the calendar flips to August. After the front office showed faith in the core on the Reds’ roster, the next step is the core leading the team over the top.

Krall said, “We’re able to add to this team and see where it goes.”