3 high-upside trade targets whose bloated contracts give the Reds a chance to buy low

The Cincinnati Reds have been linked to numerous free agents and trade targets already this offseason. Some make perfect sense (Luis Robert Jr.), while others have raised questions (Nick Pivetta). But one things is clear; the Reds are looking to improve the roster.

One way to do so is buying low on a particular player whose contract does not match his production. Whether this is done by swapping bad contracts — we're looking at you Jeimer Candelario — or offering little to nothing in a return package, sometimes these types of deals can offer great upside.

3 high-upside trade targets whose bloated contracts give the Reds a chance to buy low

Jordan Montgomery, Arizona Diamondbacks

If there's one player in Major League Baseball who's looking for the exit, it's Jordan Montgomery. The lefty endured a disastrous 2024 season and the Arizona Diamondbacks owner basically said as much. D-backs owner Ken Kendrick called the Montgomery deal a horrible signing and "our biggest mistake this season". Ouch!

But that statement didn't stop Montgomery from exercising his player-option for 2025. The Reds could buy-low on the 2023 World Series champion and increase their stable of starting pitchers. And while some fans believe Cincy's rotation is already deep enough, Nick Krall's actions speak louder than his words.

Sonny Gray, St. Louis Cardinals

Sonny Gray didn't have a down-year in 2024, but his bloated contract did not match his production. Gray is heading into Year 2 of three-year deal that will pay the former Reds' All-Star a combined $65 million in 2025 and 2026. That's a steep cost for a St. Louis Cardinals organization that's retooling their roster.

Intra-division trades don't happen often, but this one could benefit both Cincinnati and St. Louis. Whether the Reds would take on the full brunt of the contract or just offer a lesser trade package would be a determining factor, but having another veteran arm in the rotation would undoubtedly boost Cincinnati's chances to win the NL Central in 2025.

Chris Bassitt, Toronto Blue Jays

Another starter who suffered through his 2024 season was Chris Bassitt. The former All-Star was 10-14 with the Toronto Blue Jays just a year after leading the league in wins and being in the Cy Young conversation. Bassitt is entering the final year of his $63 million deal with the Blue Jays and is owed $22 million in 2025.

Bassitt has been an incredibly durable starter for the past four seasons. Since 2021, Bassitt has averaged 30 starts and 178 innings pitched. The Reds' coaching staff is putting an emphasis on longer outings next season, and adding Bassitt would certainly help. The Blue Jays are looking to go all-in in 2025, and offloading Bassitt's salary could help them improve their roster in other ways.

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