3 Reds players whose 40-man roster spot is in jeopardy as the MLB trade deadline approaches

The MLB trade deadline is less than one month away, and all signs point to the Cincinnati Reds shedding the role of seller and becoming buyers this summer.

With so many injuries to the pitching staff this season, the Reds could certainly use an extra starter or two, and perhaps even some help in the bullpen.

As such, there may be need to find a few roster spots should the Reds look to make some additions at the August 1st deadline. With that in mind, who are three Reds players, currently on the 40-man roster, whose spot may be in jeopardy?

1. Ricky Karcher may lose his spot on the Reds 40-man roster.

The legend of Ricky Karcher will live forever, but his time on the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster may be short-lived. Karcher burst onto the scene last month and grabbed a save in his first big league contest. But the right-hander was wildly unpredictable, and that's been the story of Karcher's entire professional career.

Karcher was added to the Reds 40-man roster this past offseason because his stuff is freaking amazing. Unfortunately, Karcher lacks the command to control his pitches, especially his fastball.

That's a problem, particularly for a reliever. Karcher, who's currently down on the farm at Triple-A Louisville, has more walks than strikeouts. That's a recipe for disaster and one that will never play at the major league level.

It may be time for the Cincinnati Reds to designate Ricky Karcher for assignment in order to free a spot on the 40-man roster. Something that could work in the Reds favor, however, is the fact that nearly every other major league team will likely pass on Karcher because of his inconsistency.

If Karcher is DFA'd and goes unclaimed, the right-hander could accept an outright assignment back to Triple-A. It would give the minor league coaching staff more time with the 25-year-old in hopes of straightening out his erratic delivery.