Marlins' ground ball specialist could be quiet deadline upgrade for Reds bullpen

As the MLB trade deadline looms, the Cincinnati Reds remain in a holding pattern, watching the dominoes fall across the league. The Seattle Mariners kicked off the action by snagging Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and with Eugenio Suárez still circulating in rumors, fans in Cincinnati are understandably focused on potential lineup upgrades, especially at third base.

But it’s the subtle, under-the-radar deals that can also make a big difference in October.

That brings us to Miami Marlins right-hander Anthony Bender. A name not lighting up the headlines, but one that savvy front offices should be circling as a sneaky bullpen upgrade. And for a Reds team that has seen both promise and inconsistency in their relief corps, Bender fits the mold of a buy-low target.

Marlins' ground ball machine could be Reds’ secret weapon in playoff push

Bender is quietly putting together a rock-solid season in Miami. Through 43 appearances, the 30-year-old owns a 1.87 ERA, thriving on his ability to generate weak contact and keep the ball on the ground. His 50% ground ball rate ranks in the 83rd percentile across the league, and over his last 13 outings, he’s kept opponents off the scoreboard entirely.

What makes Bender especially intriguing is his contract status. He’s earning just $1.35 million in 2025 and remains under team control through 2027 via arbitration — a rarity in today’s reliever market where rental prices often soar. The controllability, paired with his current production, makes Bender a perfect fit for a Reds bullpen in need of depth, flexibility, and reliability down the stretch.

While many teams have called the Marlins in search of ace Sandy Alcantara, it’s Bender who could quietly provide value at a much more affordable cost. He won’t headline a blockbuster, but in the pressure cooker of the NL Wild Card race, outs are outs, and Bender gets them efficiently.

If the Reds are serious about building a postseason-ready roster without emptying the farm, they should be paying close attention to Miami. And not just for the big names. Bender could be the kind of low-key deadline addition that ends up playing a big role in a high-stakes October.

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