3 Reds trade chips who are becoming more expensive

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While the Cincinnati Reds have certainly looked much better this week, the harsh reality is that this is still a below-average team. Fans should still expect the Redlegs to be sellers, not buyers, when the trade deadline comes knocking.

Obviously, with an eye toward the future, the Reds would looking to offload some expensive contracts or talented players on one-year deals once the MLB trade deadline gets closer.

A strong performance would certainly drive up the price of some of the Reds hot trade commodities, while struggling players will do nothing to decrease their value in any potential deal. With that in mind, let's look at three Cincinnati players who are increasing their trade value.

1. Reds OF Tommy Pham is becoming a more expensive trade chip.

I love the hustle that Tommy Pham provides. The way he plays can be contagious to a team, and after struggling through the first week-plus of the 2022 season, a visit to his former teammates in San Diego seemed to reignite Pham's fire and his revenge tour hasn't stopped.

Pham is connecting on almost everything that's in the zone. The Reds left fielder among the best baseball in hard hit percentage, average exit velocity, and walk-rate according to Baseball Savant.

Pham has also been a very good defender in the Cincinnati outfield. The 34-year-old has made some fantastic catches in place of Jesse Winker in left field this season.

Given that Pham has a mutual option after the season, the Cincinnati Reds would be wise to trade the veteran as it's unlikely he'll trigger the option, and the club will undoubtedly be looking to elevate one of their young, outfield prospects into the lineup next season.

What the Reds cannot afford to do is wait too long and trade Tommy Pham after he endures another slump like we saw from the former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder go through to begin the 2022 season. The Reds have the likes of Jake Fraley and TJ Friedl that can fill in admirably for the remainder of the season.

2. Reds IF Brandon Drury is becoming a more expensive trade chip.

I highly doubt before the season that anyone saw Brandon Drury as a potential trade chip. Heck, I honestly wonder how many fans actually thought that Drury would make the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. But here we are.

While Drury has been fantastic while the likes of Jose Barrero, Donovan Solano, and Max Schrock have been sidelined with injury, his future in Reds Country is likely to be very short. Drury has no minor league options remaining and is a free agent at the end of the season.

The Reds should capitalize on Drury's power surge and trade him while his value is at its highest point. According to Baseball Savant, Drury is among the tops in the majors in hard hit percentage and barrel-rate. Drury also ranks very high in xSLG and maximum exit velocity.

Brandon Drury will find playing time harder and harder to come by once the Cincinnati Reds are back to full strength. The Redlegs would be wise to get as much as they can for Drury before his stock takes a tumble.

With players like Mike Moustakas, Colin Moran, Kyle Farmer, and Jose Barrero able to play a variety of different spots on the infield dirt, Drury's presence will become a bit redundant.

3. Reds OF Tyler Naquin is becoming a more expensive trade chip.

One of the hottest hitters on the Cincinnati Reds of late is outfielder Tyler Naquin. The 31-year-old has found a regular spot in the lineup after the Reds finally decided to designate Aristides Aquino for assignment.

In his last seven games, Naquin is hitting .320/.393/.520 with nine RBIs. During that same seven-game stretch, according to FanGraphs, Naquin has a wRC+ of 159. However, his strikeout-rate during that time has been an abysmal 41.4%.

Tyler Naquin is in the final year of his arbitration window, and while he 31-year-old is unlikely to break the bank once he becomes a free agent at the end of the season, the Reds are unlikely to re-sign the former Cleveland outfielder to a contract extension this offseason.

Naquin is only owed $4M this season, which could be viewed as a bargain for several teams looking for a versatile outfielder with speed and a power stroke from the lef side of the batters' box. Naquin can be a very streaky hitter, and it would behoove the Cincinnati Reds to deal the Texas native when he's riding a hot streak.

Next. 3 Reds prospects with superstar potential & 1 who'll fall short. dark

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