Reds: 3 players from the AL Central to target at the MLB trade deadline

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The American League Central Division might be the worst in all of baseball. The Minnesota Twins currently lead the division, but three of the other four teams in the AL Central are out of contention and are likely to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline.

The Cincinnati Reds, on the other hand, look to buyers at the deadline. After dropping the first series of the second-half to the Milwaukee Brewers with what can only be described as an anemic performance the plate, fans probably want to see the Reds target hitters.

But the more likely scenario is targeting pitching at this year's trade deadline. Who are three players from the AL Central that could be on the Reds radar as the MLB trade deadline approaches?

1. Reds could target Royals RHP Scott Barlow at MLB trade deadline.

The idea of trading for Scott Barlow has been mentioned before; especially after the Cincinnati Reds missed out on his former Kansas City Royals teammate Aroldis Chapman. But it's time to focus in on the right-hander, as the Royals are not going to be competing anytime soon.

Barlow is under contract for $5.3-million this season and will be owed a raise through arbitration next year. But with very little money committed to next year's payroll, the Reds could easily take on Barlow's 2024 salary.

Barlow is no stranger to closing games, as the 30-year-old has over 50 saves during his career. HIs numbers have dipped a little bit this season, but the strikeouts are still there. But a walk-rate above 10-percent and 4.09 ERA are above his career numbers.

If the Cincinnati Reds are looking to add relief help, looking to acquire a player who brings team control beyond just the 2023 season should be a must. The Kansas City Royals will be looking for young, controllable assets, so a trade for Scott Barlow would require the Reds to part ways with a prospect or two.

2. Reds could target White Sox RHP Lance Lynn at MLB trade deadline.

Don't let Lance Lynn's contract get in the way. The veteran starter is under contract through the remainder of the 2023 after inking a two-year/$38-million deal in 2022. Lynn has an $18-million team-option for 2024, but that contains a $1-million buyout.

If the Reds are looking for an innings-eater that can still rack up the strikeouts, Lynn should be on GM Nick Krall's shortlist. Lynn has gone over 100 innings for the Chicago White Sox this season and while his ERA is not great, that doesn't tell the whole story.

Lynn's ERA is hovering just around 6.00, but his FIP is below 5.00. An even deeper look into some of the more advacned statistics shows that Lynn's xFIP is sitting at 3.82.

That, coupled with 11.05 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and a 27-percent strikeout-rate, according to FanGraphs, should put Lance Lynn atop the Reds wishlist as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

It's not known what the Chicago White Sox should expect in return for Lynn's services. Seeing as how Lynn is little more than a two-month rental, you have to assume the asking price cannot be extravagant. But a trade for Lynn would probably require a low-level prospect similar to what Cincinnati received for Tyler Naquin or Brandon Drury last summer.

3. Reds could target Tigers RHP Alex Lange at MLB trade deadline.

This isn't a name that has garnered much attention to date, but if the Cincinnati Reds are looking to make a real upgrade to their bullpen, targeting Detroit Tigers pitcher Alex Lange might be a wise decision.

Lange, unlike Lance Lynn and even Scott Barlow, has multiple years of team-control remaining. Lange has yet to reach arbitration, meaning he won't reach free agency until 2028. A first-round pick in 2017, Lange has struggled with free passes, but has a strikeout-rate near 30-percent according to FanGraphs.

Lange's curveball's is his go-to pitch, and he pairs that with a 95-plus mph fastball. The right-hander will also go a changeup on occasions as well. Lange has done a good job this season of keeping the ball in the ballpark, allowing only three home runs on the year.

Now, because Alex Lange is much more than a rental, his services won't come cheap. And that, in the end, could be the biggest reason why Cincinnati doesn't want to go down this road.

In order to get a player like Lange, the Cincinnati Reds would have to be comfortable parting with one or more of their top prospects. Is adding a reliever like Lange worth relinquishing a prospect like Lyon Richardson, Carlos Jorge, or Jay Allen II? That's the question that Nick Krall and his team will have to answer.

Next. Prospects that could be traded. 3 Reds prospects who could be traded, 2 who are off limits. dark

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