Brady Singer is giving the Reds exactly what they needed before the deadline

The Cincinnati Reds dropped the series finale to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night, but the loss can hardly be laid at the feet of Brady Singer. The right-hander dominated a very good Phillies lineup, and left in the top of the eighth inning having allowed just one run on four hits while striking out five and walking just one. Sadly, he wasn't credited with the win, as the Reds lost 1-0.

Thursday's outing against Philadelphia was easily Singer's best performance of the season, and he's been one of Cincinnati's best starting pitchers for the better part of a month. Over his last seven starts, he's posted a 2.79 ERA and 3.94 FIP while striking out 24.4% of the batters he's faced.

Singer is getting hot at just the right time. Not because he can help the Reds go on a second-half run and jump back into the playoff hunt — that seems like a pipe dream at this point. But he's put his early-season woes in the rearview mirror and could become one of the most sought after arms at this year's trade deadline.

Brady Singer's resurgence could help the Reds at the trade deadline

Singer will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, and it's highly unlikely that he and Reds will look for a reunion this winter. Singer earned a $12.75 million pay day through arbitration this past offseason and should be in line to sign a long-term deal with a higher AAV once the upcoming collective bargaining agreement is settled.

In other words, Singer is as good as gone in a few months, and the Reds should attempt to receive some type of value for his services before he bolts in free agency. Cincinnati could opt to keep Singer through the remainder of the season and extend a Qualifying Offer to him during the offseason.

This would be the same strategy the Reds employed with Nick Martinez after the 2024 season, and much like it did then, extending a QO to a middle-of-the-rotation like Singer would almost assuredly backfire. Last year's Qualifying Offer paid $22.025 million; a steep cost for a No. 3 or 4 starter.

The Reds have enough young arms to weather the storm if Singer is dealt at this year's deadline. If healthy, Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott are all capable of finishing the season. The Reds are hopeful to see Brandon Williamson return at some point later this season, and pitchers like Chase Petty, Jose Franco, and Julian Aguiar can give Cincinnati some length during the second-half.

Both Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder are also part of the mix, though both pitchers are expected to be shut down (or severely limited) at some point this season due to an innings-restriction.

The Reds are all but out of the playoff hunt, and all signs point to them being sellers at this year's trade deadline. Singer is one of their top trade chips, and if he continues to pitch well after the All-Star break, his value will only increase.

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