Reds: 3 NL Central rival relief pitchers to target at the MLB trade deadline

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The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, and to the surprise of many throughout baseball, the Cincinnati Reds will likley be buyers. Even more surprising might be the recent proclomation from the St. Louis Cardinals that they're going to be sellers.

The Reds will be in the market for bullpen help at the 2023 trade deadline. They need to continue to upgrade their relief corps in order to have a reliable backend in order to close out games may be essential for Cincinnati to make a push toward the postseason.

It's rare to see clubs do business within their own division. Nothing crushes a GM more than trading away a young prospect only to watch that player thrive within their own division for years to come. But, the Reds may want to take a look at these three relievers from within the NL Central.

1. Reds should target NL Central rival pitcher Jordan Hicks at the MLB trade deadline.

Almost every Cincinnati Reds fan should know the name Jordan Hicks. For the last few seasons, Hicks has been brought in out of the rival St. Louis Cardinals bullpen and fired his 100-plus mph heater toward the dish with great results.

While deals within the division are rare, especially between rivals like the Reds and the Cardinals, Hicks may find himself as an exception at the MLB trade deadline. The flamethrower will become a free agent after the season, so St. Louis will be motivated to move the reliever prior to August 1st.

The Cardinals are a sinking ship and have already directed their focus toward 2024. With little to no hope of contending for the remainder of the season, dealing Hicks seems like a forgone conclusion considering his contract situation.

If you're a contender at the MLB trade deadline, finding a player that throws a 100-plus mph sinker and pairs that pitch with a tight breaking slider that touches the mid-80s would certainly be on your shortlist. The Reds could be a potential suitor for Hicks in the coming weeks.

Jordan Hicks (1-5 3.93 ERA) hasn't been spectacular this season, but there is no denying his electric fastball. Pairing Hicks with Alexis Diaz and Lucas Sims in the backend of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen would give David Bell a terrifc 1-2-3 punch.

2. Reds should target NL Central rival pitcher Michael Fulmer at the MLB trade deadline.

The Cincinnati Reds relief corps has seen some questionable names pop up already throughout the 2023 season. Ricky Karcher, Alec Mills, and Jake Wong have all seen time on the mound for David Bell this season.

The Reds bullpen has seen a plethora of injuries to pitchers like Casey Legumina, Reiver Sanmartin, Tony Santillan, and the workload to pitchers like Alex Young, Alexis Diaz, and Lucas Sims has been extremely heavy. This is unsustainable and reinforcements are necessary.

With the Chicago Cubs recent struggles, the North Siders have become a dark horse option to flip their roster upside down in order to continue their rebuild as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Chicago will likely be looking to unload a number of expiring contracts in order to get maximum value heading into 2024.

Michael Fulmer is on one such deal, as he'll be a free agent after 2023. Fulmer (0-5 4.50 ERA) hasn't put up great numbers this season, but he hasn't been hit very hard either. Fulmer ranks in the 90th percentile in average exit velocity and hard hit-rate according to Baseball Savant.

Adding Fulmer doesn't automatically put Cincinnati in the driver's seat of the NL Central, but would definitely provide the Reds with much needed depth down the stretch. The Cubs, who may be clinging to hope, may no want to part with Fulmer, but Cincinnati Reds GM Nick Krall should at least inquire as to the price tag for the former AL Rookie of the Year.

3. Reds should target NL Central rival pitcher Chris Stratton at the MLB trade deadline.

While they may not be ready to admit it, the St. Louis Cardinals are in need of a rebuild. The Cardinals pitching is far from ready to compete with the top dogs in the major leagues, much less the NL Central. Every rebuild starts, as fans of the Cincinnati Reds know all too well, by trading away veterans on expiring deals.

Chris Stratton fits that mold. A longtime veteran of the NL Central, Stratton has been part of the division for the past five seasons. The right-hander was with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2019-2022 and joined the Cardinals last August after an inter-division trade on August 1st saw Stratton shipped to St. Louis.

Despite this Stratton's lack of success against the Cincinnati Reds, the right-handed reliever has seen decent success for the 2023 season. His 2.99 FIP is promising, despite an ERA of 4.20. Stratton has maintained an ERA+ above 100 in three of the past four seasons.

It likely wouldn't cost the Reds an arm and a leg to acquire a pitcher like Stratton. Signed through just the 2023 season, the 32-year-old will be a free agent this offseason.

There is always risk that comes from dealing within your own division, but it's a path that the Cincinnati Reds should certainly explore at this year's trade deadline. Weakening your closest rival while improving your own fortunes is always preferred, but the Reds are in contention for the postseason this year and can't let that opportunity just pass by without making an effort.

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