Reds should take advantage of Rays' trade deadline strategy

The Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays seem to be employing a similar strategy ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Recent reports suggest that the Reds are looking to deal some of the pitchers who are on expiring contracts, while the Rays are looking to buy and sell before July 30th.

Both teams are in a pickle. Neither club is currently in the playoff picture, but both the Reds and Rays have enough talent on the roster to make a postseason push. While neither Nick Krall nor Erik Neander are ready to throw in the towel on the 2024 season, both executives are trying to thread a very fine needle. Perhaps they could help each other out.

The Reds are in desperate need of help in their outfield, and the Rays are always looking to maximize a player's value. Could the Reds and Rays work out a deal before the trade deadline that would send former Rookie of the Year Randy Arozarena to Cincinnati?

Could the Reds work out a trade for Rays' OF Randy Arozarena?

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the Rays will listen to offers on Arozarena and a handful of other players. Though not having his best season, Arozarena would be an upgrade for a number of teams this summer, including the Reds.

Cincinnati's outfield picture has been troublesome at best this season. Both Jake Fraley and Will Benson have put up horrific numbers, TJ Friedl has made three separate trips to the injured list, and the only true outfielder who has an fWAR above 1.0 has been in the league for barely a week (Rece Hinds).

The Reds outfield isn't just going to magically fix itself, nor are there any studs in the minor leagues who are knocking on the major league door this year and beyond. According to MLB Pipeline, Cincinnati's best outfield prospect is Blake Dunn, and Reds fans already got a preview of his potential earlier this season. Dunn looks like a fine fourth or fifth outfielder, but the Reds need a difference-maker.

Arozarena is still just 29 years old, has two more years of team control remaining beyond 2024, and has the type of speed and power mix that the Reds covet. Arozarena's numbers are down slightly this season, but the Rays' slugger still has 15 big flies and 14 stolen bases on the season.

Arozarena won't come cheap, and the Reds would likely have to part with one or more of their talented prospects. But with so few young outfielders in Cincinnati's farm system, going outside the organization in order to shore up the outfield may be necessary.

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