3 missed opportunities for the Reds at 2024 MLB trade deadline

The Cincinnati Reds took an interesting approach to this year's MLB trade deadline. The Reds weren't exactly buyers, but weren't sellers either. More than anything, most Reds fans were confused with the lack of direction from the front office at the deadline.

On one hand, being five games out of the playoff picture at the trade deadline should incentivize a team to buy, right? But if that same team has obvious holes, several impending free agents, and below .500 record, the case can be made for them to be sellers. Welcome to Major League Baseball in 2024 when 40% of the teams make the postseason.

So after the dust had settled, the Reds dealt Frankie Montas to the Milwaukee Brewers, Lucas Sims to the Boston Red Sox, and parted ways with Austin Slater and Livan Soto while bringing in Jakob Junis, Joey Wiemer, and Ty France. But there were definitely some missed opportunities. Which three were most egregious?

The Reds failed to trade for an everyday outfielder at the deadline

The Reds did trade for an outfielder, but he's currently down at Triple-A. Adding Wiemer along with Junis in exchange for Montas was a good trade on the part of Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall. Montas will be a free agent after the season, while adding a player like Wiemer gives the Reds a right-handed hitting outfielder with power and years of control.

But Wiemer is incredibly raw. Now, if he and fellow outfielder Rece Hinds turn into prominent, middle-of-the-order power bats, we can table this whole discussion. But the fact of the matter is that outside of TJ Friedl, Cincinnati's outfield is comprised of platoon bats. There's nothing wrong with that on the surface, but when you see the moderate return the Tampa Bay Rays received after trading Randy Arozarena, you have to shake your head and wonder if Krall ever picked up the phone.

Arozarena is an impact bat who's personality would have fit great in the Reds' clubhouse. Yes, the Reds would have to part with those precious prospects, but you can't play them all. At some point, Cincinnati needs to swing for the fences and snag an everyday outfielder (not Spencer Steer).

The Reds didn't use their most valuable trade chip(s) to make a deal

If the Reds had made that big move to acquire a bat like Arozarena or fellow outfielder Lane Thomas, Cincinnati could have used some of their best trade chips to acquire a few prospects to replace those who would've inevitably been shipped out.

Those trade chips would be players like Jonathan India, Alexis Diaz, and Fernando Cruz. India was targeted at the trade deadline by multiple clubs, and while he's the heartbeat of this year's team, there's a lot of redundancy on the roster. Diaz and Cruz have both been good for stretches, but have also endured their fair share of struggles.

This could have been a situation of supply and demand. In a seller's market, the price tag would've been and should've been high. Perhaps Cincinnati had a higher valuation on those players than other teams did. Don't be shocked, however, if one or more of those players is dealt this offseason.

The Reds still have a surplus of relievers even after trading Lucas Sims

A curious move made at the trade deadline was adding Junis to the roster. Not because he's not a good pitcher, but because the Reds already had a surplus of relievers. Cincinnati was able to shed Sims at the deadline, but looking at the relief corps now, there are nine relievers in the bullpen and only four have minor league options remaining. Among them are Cruz, Diaz, Sam Moll, and Yosver Zulueta.

Outside of Zulueta, it's hard to see the Reds optioning another one of those relievers to Triple-A. But with Emilio Pagán and Ian Gibaut nearing a return, something's got to give. That doesn't even take into account top prospect Zach Maxwell either. The flame-throwing right-hander has been dominant all season, and will evenutally need a roster spot.

Injuries are part of the game, however, and it takes two to tango. Perhaps other club's weren't as enamored with the likes of Buck Farmer or Justin Wilson. But the next couple of weeks could force Krall to make some difficult roster decisions.

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