3 dream scenarios for the Reds at this year's MLB trade deadline

Welp, Randy Arozarena is off the board, so at least one dream scenario that Reds fans were hoping would come true has already came and went. But there are a number of other MLB trade deadline scenarios that could bring happiness to Reds Country.

The Cincinnati Reds are still in the NL playoff picture, but the front office needs to make a choice — buy or sell. While the Reds could, and often do, just stand pat at the deadline, Cincinnati has the prospect capital to pull off a trade or two before July 30th. But will they?

Reds fans are starved for a winner, and the team as currently constructed, is not trending in that direction. What are a few dream scenarios for the Reds as the MLB trade deadline approaches?

Reds add A's slugger Brent Rooker to boost sputtering offense

One of the biggest names that could be dealt at the trade deadline is Brent Rooker. The Oakland A's are obviously sellers as the team prepares to uproot itself from the Bay Area and move to Sacramento for the next several seasons.

Rooker is a big bat that would slot right into the middle of the Reds batting order. While Rooker's strikeout rate is among the worst in the league, nearly every other advanced metric sees the slugger among the top-10% in baseball. Rooker is in the 90th percentile or higher in expected slugging, average exit velocity, and barrel rate.

Rooker won't reach free agency until after the 2027 season, and after seeing the light return the Tampa Bay Rays received for Arozarena, Cincinnati should pounce on the opportunity to swing a deal Oakland's designated hitter.

Reds add major upgrade by trading for Nats OF Lane Thomas

While the Reds have the prospect capital to add both Rooker and Lane Thomas, this would fall under the either-or category. If the Reds swing and miss in their attempt to secure Rooker, Thomas would be a great backup plan.

The Washington Nationals outfielder is under contract through next season, and even during a down-year has put up solid stats. Thomas is hitting .247/.320/.396 with a 106 OPS+ and wRC+ of 102. Over his career, Thomas has crushed left-handed pitching to the tune of .307/.369/.520 with 142 wRC+ according to FanGraphs.

Thomas doesn't play above-average defense, but he is able to play all three outfield spots. The 28-year-old is signed for just $5.4 million this season and has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining. Thomas should be on the Reds' radar if the team is looking to buy.

Reds cash in on some of their impending free agents to help restock the farm system

If the Reds do attempt to make an upgrade to the lineup at the trade deadline, it will deplete the farm system. While Rooker or Thomas might not be enough to warrant giving up a top-100 prospect, young players like Chase Petty, Carlos Jorge, and Sammy Stafura may be dealt in order to add a bat or two before the deadline.

With that in mind, Cincinnati should look to bolster their farm system by trading away the handful of free agents to-be who currently occupy a spot on the active roster. This would include the likes of Frankie Montas, Lucas Sims, Justin Wilson, and Buck Farmer.

All four pitchers are unlikely to be re-signed this winter, and with players like Lyon Richardson, Connor Phillips, Zach Maxwell, and Julian Aguiar in the minor leagues, Cincinnati can afford to take the risk. The Reds also have Emilio Pagán, Graham Ashcraft, Brandon Williamson, and Ian Gibaut working their way back from injury.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he? If the Reds truly want to compete for a spot in the playoffs, any one of these scenarios would be ideal.

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