Rays-Braves trade just killed a Reds reunion fans were quietly hoping for

Cincinnati Reds fans are waiting with bated breath and hoping to see Eugenio Suárez return to the Queen City ahead of the MLB trade deadline. But some Reds fans were also (lowkey) hoping to see the return of another familiar face.

Stuart Fairchild, who was released by the Reds shortly before the season began, was recently designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves. Fairchild has since been traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations after Brandon Lowe was placed on the 15-day IL with ankle and foot tendinitis.

Fairchild was traded to the Braves just after the 2025 season began, but had fallen out of favor with Atlanta's coaching staff after hitting just .216/.273/.333 with a 68 wRC+ in 28 games this season. Fairchild appeared in 94 games for the Reds last season and had a lot of success against left-handed pitching — something the team has struggled with this season.

Rays-Braves trade just killed a Reds reunion fans were quietly hoping for

After being DFA'd, Fairchild was in limbo. The Braves had a short window to either trade or outright release the Wake Forest. If Fairchild passed through waivers, he could've chosen free agency or accepted an outright assignment to the minor leagues. Tampa Bay, needing to fill a spot on the roster, jumped at the opportunity to bring the versatile outfielder in to the fold and snagged Fairchild for a trivial price.

The Reds were unlikely to make a trade with the Braves, nor would they have decided to claim Fairchild off waivers, because it would've required Cincinnati to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Fairchild is out of minor-league options, so the only way the Reds would've brought him back would've been on the minor-league deal.

The Reds need for a right-handed hitting outfielder was never more obvious than the first game coming out of the All-Star break. Terry Francona went with Santiago Espinal in right field against a left-handed pitcher. The Reds skipper then threw Noelvi Marte to the wolves two days later.

While Fairchild wouldn't solved all the Reds' woes, it would've at least given Cincinnati a reliable glove in the outfield who's had success against southpaws in the past. This season, however, Fairchild's hitting just .226/.314/.355 against lefties.

There will be more opportunities for Nick Krall and the Reds front office to add to the roster in the coming days, but there's a little more than a week remaining until the MLB trade deadline passes. If the Reds are going to make a move, they'd better do it quickly.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors