Matt’s Take: I waited to this for nothing; total Reds deadline failure

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

If you don’t want to read a rant, I suggest you move on, as this isn’t going to be pretty. I’ll refrain from the adjectives that are in my mind, but holy…  

The Reds had no real plan going into the deadline and the plan should’ve been “sell, sell, sell.” Any ball-knower would’ve been trading Stephenson, Singer, Burke, Geno, and Pierce Johnson. They all have expiring contracts, and now the Reds will lose them after this season for nothing in return (except those who take qualifying offers). For what?  

Likely no baseball in 2027, and if the Reds somehow did get hot and make the playoffs – a chance at Skubal, Yamamoto, and Sasaki? What’re they doing? How does Nick Krall still have a job? 

I love the Reds, but this was the worst trade deadline of my lifetime. Finally, a chance to sell multiple players and get overpays, just to hold on in hopes of maybe getting that final playoff spot if we somehow magically get on-fire? Baseball isn’t built on hope. In the words of John Coffey, “I’m tired, boss.”

What just happened?

Players traded away:

Nathaniel Lowe
Caleb Ferguson
Players Acquired:
Juan Brito
Alejandro Rivera.
Bonus Pool International Money.

Expiring Contracts that they kept for no reason:
Tyler Stephenson
Brady Singer
Brock Burke
Eugenio Suarez
Pierce Johnson
Brito – Hit .176 in his two week stint in the big leagues.  
Rivera – 19 year old that may never make it to the big leagues. He is a lottery ticket, but has decent numbers for his age. He’s been solid in the Arizona Complex League.  

I can’t believe that is all I have to write about at 7:30 on the trade deadline day with a team who has multiple expiring contracts, a tough schedule, and nothing to play for. Maybe they get hot and make the playoffs and shock us all – I hope they do. But are they good enough to beat the Dodgers or the Brewers?  I’ll let you honestly answer that.  

Go Reds, but what an air-ball…And I’m known for being optimistic? What have you done to me, Nick Krall? 

Welcome to the show, Hector Rodriguez

With 27 home runs in AAA, Hector has officially been called up the big leagues and deservedly so. He deserves plate appearances and time on the field, as Friedl and Marte have been given enough repetitions out there to prove themselves. If there is one good thing to come out of this trade deadline, it’s the forcing of a call-up of our third-ranked prospect. Let him play and develop.