Reds rumors: NL Central rival has discussed trading for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The Cincinnati Reds just took 3-of-4 from the Chicago Cubs and have won 5-of-7 from the North Siders this season. Perhaps that's prompted the Cubbies to begin some internal conversations about potential upgrades before the upcoming MLB trade deadline.

The Reds and Cubs are are tied for second place in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers owning the only winning record in the division. However, with the National League as a whole struggling, the Reds and Cubs are also tied for that final Wild Card spot.

But Bob Nightengale of USA Today dropped an interesting nugget recently, stating that the Cubs have privately discussed the possibility of trying to acquire Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the trade deadline. That would certainly shake up the NL Central this summer.

Reds rumors: NL Central rival has discussed trading for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Nightengale cited rival executives that believe the Toronto Blue Jays will look to trade Guerrero and/ or shortstop Bo Bichette prior to the July 30th deadline. Many MLB experts and pundits have hypothesized that both Guerrero and Bichette could be on the chopping block if a contract extension is not reached before the trade deadline.

Adding Guerrero would certainly bolster the Cubs offense. Among the 15 NL teams this season, only the Reds have a lower batting average than the Cubs. But over the last month, the Reds have risen to the middle of the pack hitting .247 while the Cubs have become bottom-dwellers in the NL and have a .213 batting average. Only the Washington Nationals have a lower OPS than the Cubs during that same span.

Guerrero struggled at the outset of the 2024 season, hitting just .229/.331/.347 through the month of April. But since then, Guerrero has a .349/.431/492 slash line with 11 extra-base hits and 19 RBI.

Reds fans would hate to see Guerrero make his way to the NL Central. But after missing out on Rhys Hoskins during free agency, it shouldn't come as a surprise to hear that the Cubs are interested in trading for right-handed power bat like Guerrero.

The MLB trade deadline is closer than most Reds fans think, and it's time to start wondering about how Nick Krall plans to conduct business over the next month-plus.

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