After adding Brady Singer to staff, Reds should go all in on White Sox All-Star

Are the 2025 Cincinnati Reds going to be a legit contender for the NL Central title? After making a couple of savvy moves to help their 2025 pitching staff, it looks like this franchise is eager to move in the right direction.

Cincinnati was able to get Nick Martinez to accept his qualifying offer and keep him with the team next season after he boasted a 3.10 ERA across 142 1/3 frames. Then, they followed that up by trading away Jonathan India for Royals right-hander Brady Singer. Singer had a tremendous bounce-back year after struggling in 2023, and he will highlight a starting rotation that includes an All-Star in Hunter Greene and up-and-comers Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott.

The Reds seem like they are one arm away from really putting themselves over the top to potentially rival any other rotation in the National League. Will they splurge for it? The front office might want to throw their hat in for a power pitcher who is on the trade market.

Reds Rumors: Could Cincy make trade push for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet?

The Chicago White Sox are reportedly shopping All-Star left-handed starter Garrett Crochet, who might just be the biggest name on the trade market. In 2024, Crochet finally put it all together as a starter at the major league level, and he put together his first healthy campaign.

Despite playing for one of the worst MLB teams in history, Crochet managed to etch out a strong effort, finishing fourth in the American League with 209 strikeouts across 32 starts. He also generated a 1.069 WHIP, which is impressive considering his command issues in the past.

For the Reds, is it worth trading away a top prospect for a pitcher? Their rotation looks like it could be fully set, but acquiring Crochet would really give them a deep, star-studded staff in a division that tends to be middling year after year.

Crochet provides an extra layer of star power that this staff has lacked for a while. Adding him also provides cushion for any potential injuries to the rotation. Lodolo and Abbott both missed the entire month of September, and Hunter Greene made just five starts in the closing two months of the season.

You never want to expect pitching injuries, but it's almost expected of certain arms to be shelved for some time. Not only does Crochet blanket any injury issues, but he is primed to take the next step as Major League Baseball's next great southpaw. Cincinnati would be smart to talk shop with Chicago, even if the price seems steep. It could fit their window perfectly with Tito in town.