Why trading away Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez makes total sense for the Reds

The Cincinnati Reds’ playoff hopes hang in the balance ahead of next week’s trade deadline. Entering Tuesday's game, the Reds were just four games back of the final spot in the NL Wild Card chase.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall has a roster filled with potential rentals that a number of contenders would be interested in before the July 30th deadline. None, however, are more valuable than Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez.

With teams like the Baltimore Orioles rumored to be interested in trade for one or both Cincinnati pitchers, now is time to make a deal, no matter where the Reds stand in the playoff hunt.

Trading away Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez makes total sense for the Reds

Montas was signed to a one year deal this past offseason to lead the Reds rotation. The right-hander has gone 4-8 with a 4.85 ERA in 18 starts — numbers well behind the young trio of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott. While Montas has been an innings-eater, there’s an argument to be made that he’s not essential to the Reds’ playoff hopes.

Martinez is technically signed to a two-year deal, but has an opt out clause after this season. He was signed to be part of the Reds rotation, but after just five starts, the former San Diego Padre was shifted back to the bullpen.

As a starting pitcher for the Reds, Martinez is 0-3 with a 7.36 ERA over 25.2 innings. In a bullpen role, however, Martinez has dominated with a 1.94 ERA in 46.1 innings pitched. That level of play could make him a hot commodity for contending teams desperate for relief reinforcements.

Based on the way this season has unfolded, it’s easy to envision a future where the Reds fail to make the playoffs and loses both Montas and Martinez in the offseason without getting anything in return. Trading both away for prospects makes total sense because the Reds, even if they make the playoffs, are not yet championship contenders. The team cannot afford not to capitalize on these types of deals.

The Reds must make these types of trades in order to continue building the farm. Cincinnati's front office has built an impressive young core, but the team isn’t yet a contender for a World Series title. Trading Martinez and Montas could bring them one step closer to that dream.

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