Reds let premier trade deadline opportunity pass them by with crowded bullpen

Before we get too deep into this, let's all understand that it takes two to tango. So just because the Cincinnati Reds appear to have held on to tradable assets doesn't mean that there were actual offers on the table. That said, it looks like the Reds front office swung and missed at a few opportunities with the MLB trade deadline now in the rearview mirror.

Yes, the Reds got a decent return for Opening Day starter Frankie Montas after trading the right-hander to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night. But the trade package for Lucas Sims felt a little light, didn't it? Cincinnati traded Sims, a high-leverage reliever, to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a 19-year-old pitching prospect.

Thankfully, to cap off the flurry of trade deadline moves, the Reds were able to move on from Austin Slater as well. Cincinnati shipped the former San Francisco Giants' outfielder and infielder Livan Soto to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

The Reds traded Frankie Montas and Lucas Sims, but the roster is very full

But the Reds probably had chances to unload a handful of expiring contracts. It's somewhat surprising that players like Justin Wilson, Buck Farmer, and even Nick Martinez are still on the team, isn't it? Wasn't that the Reds' intent heading up to Tuesday's deadline?

As it turns out, the Reds may have a logjam on their hands when Emilio Pagán and Ian Gibaut return from the injured list. There's also the possibility that Brandon Williamson and Brent Suter could be back later this season as well. Not to mention one of Cincinnati's top relief prospects — Zach Maxwell — is down at Triple-A waiting to make his major league debut.

The Reds bullpen is rather crowded, and with the addition of Ty France, the position player group could get that way as well — especially if Joey Wiemer is called up in the near future.

So while the MLB trade deadline was not a failure for president of baseball operations Nick Krall and the Reds front office, it sure felt as if there were some missed opportunities to improve the farm system. That said, being just five games back in the NL Wild Card race, a late-season surge could see Cincinnati make a playoff push and then they'll be glad to have Farmer, Martinez, and Wilson in the bullpen, won't they?

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