Latest Reds trade buzz quietly hints at a position shift nobody predicted

The idea that the Cincinnati Reds may have been interested in Chris Paddack before he was scooped up by the Detroit Tigers could be shocking considering most predicted Cincinnati would be eyeing a power bat or bullpen help at the deadline.

The Minnesota Twins’ reliever Danny Coulombe seemed like a better fit for a trade with than Paddack. That said, if the Reds do want to add to the rotation as a means of improving the ‘pen, there are a number of options available.

If Cincinnati does grab a starter, either Nick Martinez or Chase Burns could slide into the bullpen. Although Martinez has only made two relief appearances this year, nearly half of his career outings have come out of the bullpen.

Burns, who last appeared in relief in college, has the power stuff to dominate in the late innings. With a handful of solid mid-to-late rotation options on the market, an internal move to the bullpen could be as valuable as a trade for a reliever.

The Reds’ interest in a starter could signal an internal move to shore up the bullpen

The Washington Nationals’ Michael Soroka would be doubly beneficial in this scenario. A former All-Star with the Atlanta Braves, Soroka is enjoying his first healthy season in years; those injuries forced him into the bullpen with the Chicago White Sox, meaning he has experience in both pitching roles. The Reds could aim to boost his confidence as a starter, like they did with Martinez, or they could use him in the mid-rotation only until Hunter Greene returns from injury or until Burns finds his groove in the big leagues.

A more straightforward approach, similar to the one that could have worked with Paddack, would be to trade for the Los Angeles Angels’ Tyler Anderson. The left-hander’s 2-6 record misrepresents his success; he generates soft contact (87th percentile in hard-hit rate), which is a particularly valuable skill at the hitter friendly Great American Ball Park. The veteran also has experience pitching in the postseason, unlike most of the Reds’ current squad.

Both Soroka and Anderson are rentals and mid-tier starters, which would keep their price tag relatively low. The Nationals have graduated many of their top prospects this season, so a couple of prospects from the Reds’ rich farm system should seal the deal.

The Angels, though, are still close to contention but could be a place for Christian Encarnacion-Strand to revive his career. Regardless of the pieces, one of these trades could be a perfect start to reverse engineering a playoff-ready bullpen.

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