Grading the Reds' 2025 trade deadline that just gave fans a sliver of hope

The MLB trade deadline has officially passed, and for the first time in several years, the Cincinnati Reds made meaningful additions. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall said after the deadline expired, “We feel collectively that we got better.”

Though it's hard to argue that statement, the question then becomes; how much better? And to piggyback off that inquiry, should Krall and the Reds front office have done more?

Much like the draft, it's difficult to judge the actual impact of the trade deadline in the moment. But seeing as how these roster moves were made with both the short and long-term future in mind, let's try to put a grade on the Reds 2025 trade deadline.

Grading the Reds' 2025 trade deadline that just gave fans a sliver of hope

Reds acquire Gold Glove Award-winner Ke'Bryan Hayes from the Pirates

The first domino to fall was the Reds acquisition of Ke"Bryan Hayes. The former Gold Glove Award-winner misplayed a ball during his first game with the Reds on Thursday night, but made up for the miscue with his eighth inning homer. Hayes is viewed as a glove-first infielder who's outlying metrics suggest there's an average to above-average hitter in there somewhere.

Cincinnati shipped Taylor Rogers and Sammy Stafura to Pittsburgh to seal the deal. Rogers was slated to be a free agent after the year. Stafura, though talented, is easily three years away from being able to impact the Major League roster. Hayes is under an affordable contract through at least 2029, and gives Cincinnati a sure-handed defender at the hot corner for years to come.

Reds trade for Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell

The Reds addition of Zack Littell has a ripple effect that will be felt in both the starting rotation and the bullpen. The price tag attached to relievers at this year's deadline was quite steep, so Krall decided to beef up the rotation instead. Littell gives Cincinnati another reliable starter and will push Nick Martinez (and eventually Chase Burns) into the bullpen.

The Reds surrendered pitchers Adam Serwinowski and Brian Van Belle in order to acquire Littell. Serwinowski has a high ceiling and can fill up the strike zone, but he's struggled this season after making the jump from Low-A to High-A. Van Belle was little more than starting depth in the minors, which adding Littell offsets.

Reds snag platoon bat Miguel Andujar in last-minute deal with A's

Cincinnati entered the final hour of the MLB trade deadline without addressing one of the biggest holes in their lineup. Thankfully, Krall and Co. pulled off a last-minute deal with the Athletics to acquire the right-handed hitting Miguel Andujar.

The Reds sacrificed pitching prospect Kenya Huggins, a player who's spent the past three years at Low-A Daytona, in order to complte the deal, but it was imperative for Cincinnati to find a bat that could enhance the lineup against left-handed pitching. Andujar owns a 1.036 OPS against southpaws this season.

Cincinnati addressed every phase of the roster, but this was a very Reds-esque trade deadline — adding just enough to stay competitive, but not enough to make a real impact. Based on the Reds' moves alone, Krall and his team deserve a solid C for their efforts at the MLB trade deadline.

The problem is, the San Diego Padres — Cincinnati's biggest threat in the chase for the final NL Wild Card spot — added multiple impact players before the deadline passed, and will make it rather difficult for the Reds to catch them during the final two months of the season.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors