3 trade rumors Reds fans hope come true, 1 they hope doesn't

There's less than a week remaining until the 2025 MLB trade deadline passes and Cincinnati Reds fans are getting antsy. The team has done enough post-All-Star break to warrant Cincinnati's front office to buy, but how aggressive will Nick Krall be at the deadline?

The Reds have been linked to numerous trade rumors — but which ones are to be believed? It's time to dissect the litany of trade rumors Reds fans have seen over the past few weeks and zero in on which ones they hope will come true, and another they anticipate to fall by the wayside.

3 Reds trade rumors fans hope come true

D-backs third baseman Eugenio Suárez returns to Cincinnati

Call it sentimental or a PR move all you want, there's not a team in Major League Baseball who wouldn't relish the idea of adding Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez at the MLB trade deadline. The D-backs slugger is one the top trade candidates at this year's deadline, and the Reds have a genuine shot to reunite with the two-time All-Star.

Once Noelvi Marte began taking reps in the outfield, whispers began to emerge of Cincinnati's interest in Suárez. Those whispers became legitimate Reds rumors last week when it was reported that the Reds and D-backs had mutual interest in a trade involving Suárez. Will it come to fruition? That remains to be seen.

Reds nab outfielder (preferably a right-handed hitter) at the MLB trade deadline

If the Reds fail to acquire Suárez, a right-handed hitting outfielder to platoon with Will Benson and Jake Fraley should be atop Krall's wishlist. This has been a topic of conversation among the Reds fanbase since the offseason, yet Cincinnati's top decision-makers have continually kicked the can down the road.

If the Reds decide turn their attention to the outfield market, there are two roads Krall and Co. could go. The go-big or go-home candidate at this year's deadline would be Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (though he's a left-handed hitter). Cincinnati, however, would have to pay a steep price in order to acquire the former All-Star. The more likely scenario would be acquiring a rental like Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader.

Cincy adds an extra reliever to give the Reds bullpen a boost

The Reds bullpen is gassed. Tony Santillan has been a fireman in every sense of the word, but the right-hander needs some support at the backend of the bullpen. Emilio Pagán has taken to the closer's role quite nicely, and Graham Ashcraft has adapted to being a high-leverage reliever, but Cincinnati will need some reinforcements if they hope to contend over the final two months of the season.

Every team will be looking to acquire extra arms for the stretch run, and the Reds should be no exception. Regardless of what Cincinnati's front office does on the position player-side at the trade deadline, they have to address the bullpen. The Reds need to walk away from the trade deadline with at least one extra reliever, and even that might not be enough.

1 Reds trade rumor fans hope doesn't come true

Reds overpay for Eugenio Suárez

Reds fans are so excited to see their team in position to buy at this year's deadline, that not many trade rumors are scaring them. For too many years, the Cincinnati faithful have been on the opposite side — trading away players to would-be contenders.

The one thing Cincinnati can't do, however, is overpay for Suárez. If Cincinnati hopes to acquire the D-backs third baseman, under no circumstances can prospects like Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, Cam Collier, or Sal Stewart be part of the return. You have to give up something of value to get something of value, but outside of Chase Petty (and maybe Edwin Arroyo), none of the Reds top-100 prospects should be sacrificed for two months of Geno.