Brady Singer trade buzz reveals the smart approach the Reds should take

It's been a long while since Brady Singer has been at the center of trade rumors, and the buzz has continued throughout the winter. The reasons for the constant trade speculation are numerous. The Cincinnati Reds' rotation depth, their need for big-bat, and Singer's contract status entering the 2026 season — he's making nearly $13 million and will be a free agent after the upcoming season.

Singer is hardly the only Reds starter who's been rumored to be on the trade block this offseason, with the likes of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and others all being mentioned as potential targets for other teams at various points.

In a new report for The Athletic (subscription required), Ken Rosenthal informed baseball fans that teams are continuing to contact the Reds about their starters. Based on his findings, it appears that the most in-demand hurlers are Greene, Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott, but the Reds' preference would be to move Singer and his $12.75 million salary instead.

Reds Rumors: Patience is the best course of action when it comes to a Brady Singer trade

It makes sense that Cincinnati's top three starters would generate the most buzz. They're the most talented starters the Reds have, but they also all come with multiple years of control. That last part is the important one.

The mentality in the offseason is different than it is in-season, especially at the trade deadline. During the winter, teams are shaping their rosters not only for the season ahead, but for years to come. They're envisioning how a certain player, either via free agency or trade, will fit and carry them through for the next several years.

As a result, we've seen teams like the rival Chicago Cubs pay an enormous price for Edward Cabrera despite the fact that Cabrera has topped 100 innings in a season just once (137⅔ frames last year), can struggle with command and walks (11.7% career walk rate), and posted a 4.95 ERA as recently as 2024. One could argue that Singer is a better bet than Cabrera, but the former Miami Marlin will make about a third of what the Reds' hurler will in 2026 and is controlled through 2028.

Cabrera is just one example. Shane Baz, Mike Burrows, and Ryan Weathers are all other examples of starters with warts, but also years of control, going for sky-high prices.

The Reds' ask in any trade for Singer is going to be a controllable young bat that can make an impact in their lineup. That's a tough sell when a team could sign someone like a Chris Bassitt or Lucas Giolito for one year and a few dollars more while retaining a young asset if it is only looking for a stopgap starter.

However, when the trade deadline rolls around, the calculus changes. Contenders are no longer thinking about how an acquisition will help now and in the future, but rather are thinking about surviving August and September while planning for October.

At that point, Singer's status as an expiring contract is a positive, not a negative. He'll be looked at as a stabilizing force who can also slot into a playoff rotation, and the team can have the stretch run serve as something of an audition to see if they want to sign him long-term once the 2026 campaign comes to a close.

If Singer pitches well and Cincinnati can market him as something more than a mid-rotation innings eater, the return will be even better.

To that end, while it would be nice to clear Singer's money from the books now, the Reds would be wise to wait until the trade deadline to move him. Not only will they be able to take advantage of a contender's desperation — especially if injuries strike a playoff hopeful — but they'll have the time to evaluate their own internal options to replace the 29-year-old right-hander while hopefully keeping their own playoff dreams alive.

The offseason market and the trade deadline market are different beasts, and Singer is a prime asset for the latter, but undervalued on the former.