3 realities Reds fans need to accept & 1 fantasy that may yet come true

In world now filled with virtual reality and artificial intelligence, it can be difficult to ascertain the difference between what's real and what's fake.

Well, Reds Country is not living in a dream world. In fact, the Cincinnati Reds are actually in contention for the NL Central Division crown despite the fact that the team lost 100 games last season. This year's team is actually showing signs of life and may make a playoff as the year goes along.

However, while some realities are encouraging for the Cincinnati fanbase, others are not. Let's look at three realities that Reds fans need to accept and one fantasy that may yet come true.

Reality that fans need to accept: The Reds won't make a splash at the trade deadline.

Will the Cincinnati Reds make a deal or two at this year's trade deadline? I feel confident in saying, yes. Will it, in any way, greatly affect the direction of the franchise moving forward? That seems much more unlikely.

While many Reds fans are bemoaning Cincinnati's starting rotation, it's hard to see the front office swinging for the fences and landing a big name at this year's trade deadline.

Who are those big names? Pitchers like Lucas Giolito (Chicago White Sox) and Shane Bieber (Cleveland Guardians) have been suggested. Even top-flight starters like Max Scherzer (New York Mets) and Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) may be had for the right price this summer.

But that's just not the way the Reds front office is likely to approach the trade deadline this year. While Nick Krall may actually be looking to buy rather than sell, any additions the Reds GM will be looking to make will not wreck the farm system he's been working to build over the past 18 months.

Those aforementioned players will carry a heavy price tag; one that Krall and the Cincinnati front office will be unwilling to meet. According to Krall, via MLB.com, current trade talks "are in places that we don’t want to go."

With Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Tejay Antone, Vladimir Gutierrez, and Justin Dunn all expected to be back with the team later this summer, the Cincinnati Reds may be relatively quiet at this year's trade deadline.