Reds reveal trade deadline blueprint by sneaking former Yankees prospect onto roster

The MLB trade deadline is just over a week away, and the Cincinnati Reds are rumored to be sellers (sort of). According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Reds are indicating to teams that they are willing to move players on expiring contracts. But Reds fans don't need an MLB insider to know what's going on here, just take a look at one of the club's most recent transactions.

In a move that received little to no fanfare and wasn't even cited by the Reds on social media, the club selected the contract of Brooks Kriske and reassigned him to the Louisville Bats. Kriske, who was signed to a minor-league contract earlier this year, is now part of the Reds 40-man roster.

Kriske had been pitching well at Triple-A Louisville all season, and it looked as if a call-up was inevitable. While there could have been a potential opt out included in Kriske's contract that prompted Cincinnati to add the right-hander to 40-man roster, the Reds' intentions at the MLB trade deadline are clear.

The Reds are sure to deal several relievers at the MLB trade deadline

The Reds have four relievers, five if you count Brent Suter (who's on the IL), who will be free agents during the upcoming offseason. Nick Martinez, Buck Farmer, Lucas Sims, and Justin Wilson are all eligible for free agency after the 2024 season is over.

Rather than lose the quartet for nothing, it would appear that Cincinnati is willing to trade Martinez, Farmer, Sims, and Wilson to the highest bidder before the July 30th deadline passes. Cincinnati can then recall Kriske and promote one of their top prospects, Zach Maxwell. The Reds also have Lyon Richardson, Evan Kravetz, Alan Busenitz, and Yosver Zulueta on the Triple-A roster.

Kriske, himself, was a former sixth-round draft pick of the New York Yankees back in 2016 after playing his college ball at USC. Kriske's introduction to the big leagues did not go very smoothly. After allowing one run on one hit with three walks during his first two games, Kriske allowed five runs on just two hits to the New York Mets on August 30, 2020.

In 20 career games in the major leagues, Kriske owns an 11.22 ERA and 1.846 WHIP. But this season, the 30-year-old is 5-0 with a 3.24 ERA and 61 strikeouts in just over 41 innings pitched. If the Reds do trade one or more of their relievers before the deadline, it's quite conceivable that Kriske will join the active roster very soon.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors