Reds' trade deadline strategy is crystal clear after series loss to shorthanded-Rays

The Cincinnati Reds lost Sunday's game to the Tampa Bay Rays in horrendous fashion. An eighth-inning collapse on the part of the Reds' bullpen, combined with an inept offensive performance ruined Hunter Greene's outing and dropped Cincinnati to 50-55 on the season.

The path forward is clear — it's time for the Reds to sell. Reds fans may not like it, but the fact of the matter is that Cincinnati will be no better than five games out of the last spot in the NL Wild Card race once Sunday's action comes to a close.

There are fewer than 60 games left in the season, and while Reds Country would love to see their favorite team go for it, that would be rather foolish given how this season has played out.

Reds' trade deadline strategy is crystal clear after series loss to shorthanded-Rays

That's not to suggest that the Reds should follow the Rays' trade deadline blueprint — Tampa Bay has traded Randy Arozarena, Jason Adam, and Zach Eflin over the past three days. But if teams come calling for a number of the Reds players who are on expiring contracts, president of baseball operations Nick Krall should not hesitate to pull the trigger.

Players like Frankie Montas, Lucas Sims, Justin Wilson, and Buck Farmer will be free agents after this season, and none of the quartet are likely to be re-signed. Cincinnati has enough pitching depth in the minor leagues to offset any potential loss over the final two months of the 2024 season.

But should the Reds go even deeper? What if another club came calling for a player like Alexis Díaz, Fernando Cruz, or Jake Fraley? If you were Krall, would you make those deals? Jonathan India's name has been mentioned time and time again. Will the Reds finally part ways with the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year?

Outside of the Reds' core of Elly De La Cruz, Nick Lodolo, Hunter Greene, and handful of others, Krall and Co. should not hesitate if a deal presents itself. That said, Cincinnati should not be outright shopping any of their players either.

It's been a disappointing season in the Queen City, and Sunday's loss to the Rays was a microcosm of the entire season. It was yet another one-run loss for the Reds, who are now 9-20 in such games this year.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors