4 Reds who aren't as safe as they think with 2026 trade deadline a month away

The MLB trade deadline is about a month away, and given the downward spiral the Cincinnati Reds have been on since May 1, all signs point to them being sellers later this summer. There are a number of Reds players on expiring contracts — Nathaniel Lowe, Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, and Eugenio Suárez — who could be moved before the August 3 deadline.

But the Reds also have a handful of surprising names who could be moved if another organization blew them away with a significant trade package. While core pieces of the team like Elly De La Cruz, Chase Burns, and Sal Stewart will be off limits at the deadline, there are some players who might not be as safe as they think they are.

These Reds players could surprisingly be moved at the MLB trade deadline

Emilio Pagán, Reds pitcher

Emilio Pagán is slated to return to the bullpen after he completes his upcoming rehab assignment. If he pitches well enough in high-leverage situations, it could be enough to prompt some GMs throughout baseball to give Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall a phone call.

Pagán set a career-high in saves last season (32), and while he can be homer-prone, in the right ballpark, the right-hander can be a shutdown weapon at the backend of a bullpen. Pagán is under contract through next season, but the Reds have enough serviceable (and cheaper) arms who could fill in as the team's closer in 2027.

Tyler Stephenson, Reds catcher

This one would sting a little bit. Tyler Stephenson has been with the Reds' organization for more than a decade and is a leader in the clubhouse. But he's a free agent to-be this coming winter, and the team has been uninterested in signing him to a contract extension.

Stephenson's bat has been his calling card throughout his career, and he's experienced an offensive surge of late. If another club is looking for a bat-first backstop who's perfected the art of using the ABS challenge system, Stephenson could be on the move before August 3.

JJ Bleday, Reds outfielder

JJ Bleday will be a popular name among GMs as we get closer and closer to the MLB trade deadline. The slugger is under team control for another two seasons, so the Reds have every reason to dismiss the idea of trading away one of their most productive hitters.

But Cincinnati has a young outfielder down on the farm by the name of Héctor Rodríguez who's begging to be called up to the big leagues. If another organization is willing to overpay for Bleday's bat, it might be difficult for the Reds to say no.

Edwin Arroyo, Reds shortstop

The most surprising name on this list is Edwin Arroyo, but the Reds should unequivocally consider trading him if the right offer comes along. Contenders are typically on the hunt for an established player at the trade deadline, but Arroyo could offer upside to a shortstop-needy team like the Atlanta Braves.

Arroyo's blocked at the Major League level by De La Cruz, and there are a ton of young shortstops in the Reds' farm system. The 22-year-old has yet to unseat Matt McLain at second base, and Cincinnati cannot continue to carry those three middle infielders on the roster. There's just not enough playing time to go around.

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