Cincinnati Reds Trade Deadline Overview

The Cincinnati Reds need to unload their two remaining trade chips so they can amass as much young talent as possible.

From the outset of Spring Training, the baseball world knew the Cincinnati Reds were not going to be a good baseball team. The team was clearly in rebuild mode—some in the industry call it tanking—and the garage sale of veteran players was likely to continue.

Since the middle of last season, the Reds have parted with starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake; closer Aroldis Chapman; and third baseman Todd Frazier, plus a few other less notable pieces. For a team that finished 76-86 in 2014 and 64-98 last season, getting rid of quality veteran players was only going to make things worse.

Indeed they have gotten worse. The Reds bullpen has been historically bad this season, posting a 5.99 earned run average and 5.83 fielding independent pitching entering Wednesday. Furthermore, Reds relievers have allowed 37.7 percent of inherited runners to score–sixth in the majors–and are tied for worst in the league in home run to fly ball rate (17.3%).

The offense hasn’t been any better. Sure, Adam Duvall is providing some nice pop in the lineup, but the Reds are 25th in weighted on-base average (.302). First baseman Joey Votto, while still an above-average hitter, hasn’t been himself and the natural decline of second baseman Brandon Phillips, a shoulder injury to catcher Devin Mesoraco and Billy Hamilton’s slow progress have compounded the struggles.

The Reds are willing to suffer now in order to increase their chances for future success. The trades over the past year have brought the Reds a bevy of prospects on which they can build, and they’re already starting to rely on those prospects: The Reds led the majors with 730 innings pitched by rookies in 2015 and lead the majors again this season with 224 2/3.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Reds will continue to look for opportunities to add to their stable of young talent. (All stats entering Wednesday.)

Next: A replenished farm system