3 Royals players Reds should shift their focus to after stalled trade talks

It sounds like the supposed trade between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals has hit a bit of a snag. The Reds were rumored to be entertaining a trade that would sent Jonathan India to KC in exchange for Royals' starter Brady Singer. Though the deal isn't dead in the water, it now sounds as if Kansas City is entertaining other offers.

But the Reds and Royals could still attempt to find equal footing on another trade. Kansas City feels like a terrific destination for India, but Singer isn't the only player on the Royals' roster that should be tempting to the Reds.

3 Royals players Reds should shift their focus to after stalled trade talks

Alec Marsh, Royals pitcher

One of the rumored reasons the India-Singer trade proposal lost steam was due to Nick Martinez finally agreeing to sign the Reds' qualifying offer. Martinez will make $21.05 million in 2025, and the Reds may not want another $8 million-plus dedicated to their rotation with other obvious roster flaws.

But that doesn't mean that Cincinnati should completely abandon the idea of adding a pitcher. Alec Marsh spent his first full year in the big leagues last season and went 9-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 129 innings of work. While those numbers aren't going to blow anyone away, adding an extra arm for rotation depth would be a wise move on the part of the Reds' front office. Marsh is pre-arbitration eligible and still has minor-league options available. Feels like a good fit, doesn't it?

Kris Bubic, Royals pitcher

Another depth piece could be Kris Bubic. The 27-year-old Bubic is estimated to take home a little less than $3 million in 2025, which is very much in the Reds' price range. The southpaw also has minor league options remaining; something that the Reds would undoubtedly value based on their projected 2025 bullpen.

Bubic gets ground balls at an outstanding rate. The lefty induced a near 60% ground ball rate in 2024 with a 53.1% ground ball rate in 2023. Reds fans love those types of pitchers in the hitter friendly confines of Great American Ball Park. Bubic also struck 32% of batters he faced last season while walking just over 4%. With Justin Wilson having signed with the Boston Red Sox, adding another left-hander would give new manager Terry Francona a new weapon coming out of the bullpen.

Gavin Cross, Royals outfielder

The Reds are reportedly looking to bolster their outfield, and while Gavin Cross is unlikely ready to take the field on Opening Day, his skillset could be exactly what Cincinnati is looking for. Cross is one of Kansas City's top prospects and was highly regarded for his ability to hit for power and average.

Injuries slowed Cross in 2023, but he hit .261/.342/.428 last season at Double-A. Cross has played a lot of center field since being drafted by the Royals in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, but has a good enough arm to play almost anywhere on the outfield grass.

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