Reds avoided this trade deadline nightmare and fans should be thrilled

The Cincinnati Reds landed three very nice acquisitions at the MLB trade deadline. The trio of Miguel Andujar, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and Zach Littell have contributed in marked ways since coming to Cincinnati late last month.

Andujar has been one of the Reds' most consistent hitters, Hayes has shined defensively, and Littell is providing length for the starting rotation with Nick Lodolo on the mend. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall has to be thrilled with the production the team has received from these three players thus far.

Many Reds fans, however, were hoping to see Cincinnati land a skilled left-handed reliever to help at the backend of the bullpen. One name tossed about was former Minnesota Twins reliever Danny Coulombe, who was traded to the Texas Rangers at the July 31 deadline. As it turns out, however, that addition could've be disastrous.

Reds avoided trade deadline nightmare by avoiding Danny Coulmbe

Coulombe was one of the most sought-after relievers at the deadline, and there were whispers heading into the final week of July that the Reds had sent scouts to a game between the Twins and Washington Nationals. Presumably, Cincinnati was getting a closer look at Coulombe and a few other Twins' assets.

But the trade deadline passed and the Rangers walked away with the Twins' lefty. Texas traded left-handed pitching prospect Garrett Horn to Minnesota in order to seal the deal.

Coulombe was easily the best lefty specialist available at the deadline, but since arriving in Arlington, his numbers have tanked. He logged 31 innings with the Twins before joining the Rangers and owned a sparkling 1.16 ERA and 1.99 FIP to go along with a 25.4% strikeout rate. But those impressive numbers have not followed him to the Lone Star State.

Coulombe has made nine appearances out of the Rangers bullpen and has posted an unsightly 5.14 ERA and 4.54 FIP. He's still striking out a ton of hitters (29% K rate), but he's also walking over 16% of the batters he's faced.

In turn, the Rangers have fallen out of the playoff hunt in the American League. While Coulombe is not solely to blame for Texas' downfall, it's hard to ignore his lack of production since joining his new team.

Though the Reds still have a void in their bullpen and could use a dominant lefty who produced the type of numbers Coulombe did before the trade deadline, it's safe to say the Cincinnati faithful are thankful that Krall and Co. did not make a trade with the Twins.

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