Don’t be shocked if this Reds player is gone by the MLB trade deadline

With the Cincinnati Reds hovering near the .500 mark to start the 2025 season, many pundits expect them to be players at the MLB trade deadline. Given their deep well of infield prospects and versatile position players, it seems likely that any midseason deal would involve trading from that infield surplus to acquire a major league-ready outfielder, a designated hitter, or even a veteran starter to round out the rotation if necessary.

But that plan may be shifting. A surprising development out of Cincinnati has added a new wrinkle to the Reds’ potential trade strategy. What was once one of the team’s biggest question marks might now hold one of its greatest assets—a potential source of trade capital.

Last year, the Reds bullpen posted a pedestrian 4.09 ERA—good for 18th in MLB. Plagued by an alarming statistic allowing 1.19 home runs per nine innings, ranking 28th in the league. That susceptibility to the long ball cost them several close games and left the front office searching for answers.

Could Alexis Díaz be the trade chip that propels the Reds into October?

Fast forward to 2025, and the turnaround has been quietly impressive. While the Reds still rank 28th in home run rate allowed, they’ve climbed all the way to 8th in bullpen ERA at 3.33, and lead all of baseball with a .204 batting average on balls in play (BABIP)—a sign that their defense is backing up the pitching staff in a big way. What’s more impressive, several unexpected names have stepped up to take control of the late innings.

Veteran right-hander Emilio Pagán has settled into the closer role (for now) with four saves. Tony Santillan has shown the ability to work in high-leverage spots. And Graham Ashcraft, once a fringe starter, has flourished as a reliever—putting up zeros across the board through his first eight appearances. That trio’s emergence has raised the question: where does that leave former closer Alexis Díaz?

Díaz, who returned from a left hamstring injury earlier this month, has yet to reclaim his old spot at the back end of the bullpen—and rightfully so. His stuff remains strong, but his command continues to frustrate. Through four appearances in 2025, Díaz has thrown four innings, walked four, struck out two, and allowed four hits. Reds fans know this version of Díaz all too well—flashes of brilliance, mixed with frustrating inconsistency.

Alexis Díaz is no longer the Reds' best reliever

Still, that inconsistency hasn’t erased his market value. Díaz was once considered a top-10 closer in baseball and still boasts the kind of strikeout potential that makes other teams take notice. For a club like the Reds, trying to balance competing now with building for the future, that’s a golden opportunity.

Rather than force Díaz back into a role that no longer belongs to him, the Reds should let him reestablish his value in sixth and seventh-inning spots—while quietly gauging the market. His name recognition, experience as a closer, cheap contract, and three years of team control make him a very tradable asset, especially for contending teams with bullpen needs and the offensive depth to spare.

The Reds don’t need to shop Díaz just for the sake of it—but if they’re serious about making a postseason push in 2025, dealing from a position of strength could be the smartest play. With their bullpen thriving and Díaz not quite fitting into the current mix, turning his upside into an immediate roster upgrade could be the move that turns this year’s Reds from fringe contenders into an October threat.

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