Saturday, October 03

CINCINNATI -- Welcome to Friday, aka the final weekend of 2026 that the market is open for deals before Monday's 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.

With the Reds (51-57) holding a 2.2% chance of reaching the playoffs, per FanGraphs (as of 11 p.m. ET Thursday), selling seems all but assured. That means these could be the final games in a Cincinnati uniform for a few players.

For several weeks, scouts from contending clubs have been watching Reds games at Great American Ball Park and on the road -- all looking to make possible upgrades at different spots. 

There are the seven Reds on an expiring contract this season who could be a rental for contenders, and a couple players under club control who have drawn interest. Here is another look at how they've all played lately -- with potential destinations for each.

SP Brady Singer 

5-10, 4.35 ERA, 21 starts, 107 2/3 innings, 91 strikeouts

Contract status: Free agent after the season

What to know: Singer's season didn't begin well (6.18 ERA over his first 11 starts), but he turned things around to post a 2.73 ERA over his last nine games. His last outing on Wednesday vs. the Guardians lasted only 4 1/3 innings, with four unearned runs after middle-infield defense broke down behind him in the fifth inning and his command of the strike zone faded with three walks. Singer turns 30 on Tuesday.

Possible fits: White Sox, Padres, Braves, Cubs, Phillies, Rays, Twins

SP Hunter Greene

2-2, 7.06 ERA, four starts, 21 2/3 innings, 29 strikeouts

Contract status: Signed through 2028, with a club option for 2029

What to know: Greene is scheduled to face Paul Skenes and the Pirates on Friday night. Other than Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Greene is the most talented starting pitcher on the market -- if the Reds decide to move him -- and a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand there was a "50-50" chance that could happen. Greene's contract isn't a burden -- he is owed $15 million in 2027, $16 million in 2028 and has a $21 million club option for 2029 with a $2 million buyout. His durability issues -- including bone chips removed from his elbow this year and not debuting until July 4 -- are well documented. But with so few game-changing starters out there, the Reds could get a far bigger return for the soon-to-be 27-year-old than for any of their rentals.

Possible fits: Rays, Blue Jays, Cubs, Dodgers, Orioles

3B Eugenio Suárez 

.202 with .666 OPS, 14 HRs, 39 RBIs, 78 games

Contract status: Free agent after the season

What to know: A popular player in clubhouses and with fans everywhere he's been, the 35-year-old Suárez was moved from Arizona to Seattle at last year's Trade Deadline and went on to hit a career-high-tying 49 homers. His return to Cincinnati (where he played from 2015-21) on a one-year, $15 million contract hasn't reached those power heights, but he's always a threat to change a game.

Possible fits: Red Sox, Phillies

C Tyler Stephenson

.251 with .731 OPS, 8 HRs, 29 RBIs, 83 games

Contract status: Free agent after the season

What to know: A homegrown Red taken in the first round of the 2015 Draft who debuted in 2020, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is the club's longest-tenured player. Stephenson's offensive numbers have waned in recent seasons, but he's batting .343 with a .938 OPS in 33 games since June 7. And for clubs that want improvement at ABS challenges from their catchers, he's ranked among the best at being successful.

OF JJ Bleday

.228 with .800 OPS, 18 HRs, 45 RBIs, 80 games

Contract status: Club control through 2028

What to know: Proving to be a steal for $1.4 million after he was non-tendered by the A's in the offseason, Bleday has been a big lefty bat and good corner outfielder for the Reds. He's close to his career high of 20 homers. However, his lower salary and club control status for two more years make it more likely he sticks around, unless an offer is too good to pass. 

Possible fits: Astros

1B/DH Nathaniel Lowe 

.255 with .804 OPS, 12 HRs, 34 RBIs, 80 games

Contract status: Free agent after the season

What to know: Lowe, who was signed to a Minor League contract during Spring Training and made the club out of camp, provides left-handed power and leadership. He also has postseason experience, and won the World Series with the Rangers in 2023.

Possible fits: Diamondbacks

RPs Brock Burke, Caleb Ferguson and Pierce Johnson 

Contract statuses: All can be free agents after the season.

What to know: These three are grouped together because they're all veterans with postseason experience. Ferguson, a lefty, was moved at both of the last two Trade Deadlines. Burke, another lefty who was also part of the '23 Rangers, leads the National League in appearances and has been solid all season. Johnson, a right-hander, has an $8 million mutual option for 2027 with a $1 million buyout.

Possible fits: Almost every contender is looking for bullpen help.

The returns for rental players are often lower-level prospects -- but not always. While some of the Minor Leaguers that come back in trades don't pan out, there are certainly some that end up working out. For example, the Reds' sell-off during the 2022 Trade Deadline featured some under-the-radar acquisitions.

Starting pitcher Tyler Mahle went to the Twins for then-prospects Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer. While Encarnacion-Strand is gone, Steer has become a key cog for the Reds at multiple positions, while hitting at least 20 homers in three straight seasons from 2023-25. He hit 16 this season before going on the injured list. 

Outfielder Tyler Naquin and lefty reliever Phillip Diehl went to the Mets for Minor League outfielder Héctor Rodríguez and pitcher Jose Acuna. Rodríguez, who is Cincinnati's No. 3 prospect, has 26 homers this season for Triple-A Louisville. He could be the club's next significant promotion to the big leagues -- possibly as early as next week.

Edwin Arroyo was sent down after some issues on defense. Matt McLain is back at second base. More >>

Catcher Jirvin Morillo is rocketing up the prospect rankings in the Reds organization. More >>

A win Tuesday night, featuring a great game-ending catch by Dane Myers, underscored how the Reds’ clubhouse hopes to stick together at Deadline time. More >>

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