MLB Insider reveals why Reds missed out on starting pitching at MLB trade deadline

Did the Cincinnati Reds need to acquire a starting pitcher before Tuesday's trade deadline? Most Reds fans would say, yes, especially after watching the Chicago Cubs score 46 runs off Cincinnati pitching over the past four days.

The idea of adding another starter wasn't lost on the Reds front office. There were tons of rumors floating around prior to the trade deadline about Cincinnati's interest in acquiring a starting pitcher.

Names like Michael Lorenzen, Jack Flaherty, and even Justin Verlander were tossed around. But MLB Insider and New York Post columnist Jon Heyman details why the Cincinnati Reds ultimately missed out at this year's trade deadline.

MLB Insider reveals why Reds missed out on starting pitching at the MLB trade deadline.

Everyone knew that three teams in particular were in the hunt for starting pitching at this year's trade deadline. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and Cincinnati Reds were all looking to upgrade their starting rotation, and all three clubs had the prospect capital to get a deal done.

But only the O's were able to pull off a trade, landing former St. Louis Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty. The Dodgers made an attempt to secure the services of Eduardo Rodriguez, but never completed a deal. Los Angeles did make a trade for Lance Lynn the week before the MLB trade deadline.

So what stopped the Reds from adding a starter? According to Jon Heyman, the Reds had no realistic chance of landing any of the biggest names and both the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals were presumably reluctant to trade within their own division.

When talking about the biggest names, Heyman is likely referring to players like Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Eduardo Rodriguez, all of whom had no-trade clauses as part of their contract. Rodriguez even invoked his no-trade clause to block a deal between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

So the Cincinnati Reds are left to wait on the returns of Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo; something the club hopes will bolster their starting pitching over the final month-plus of the 2023 season. Both pitchers are expected to return later this month.