Reds can't let White Sox off the hook if Brady Singer trade buzz is this real

At first it was just online chatter, but now at least one prominent MLB insider is connecting Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer to the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox.

In a recent column for ESPN.com, Jesse Rogers, who's in the know regarding all things Chicago baseball, suggested the White Sox are likely to address their starting rotation at the upcoming trade deadline. He cited Singer as a logical candidate, due in part to his relatively low salary.

Rogers suggests, however, that Cincinnati's ask shouldn't intrude on the top-10 prospects within Chicago's farm system and pegged right-handed pitcher Mason Adams as the price for Singer's services. MLB Pipeline ranks Adams as the eighth-best prospect in the White Sox farm system, while FanGraphs placed him just inside the top-15 before the season.

Adams is a fine prospect, to be sure, and is currently at Triple-A Charlotte. That sort of player would fit the mold of what Cincinnati is looking for at the deadline — a controllable arm who could help them win in 2027. But in a market loaded with more buyers than sellers, the Reds can afford to be greedy, right?

Reds pitcher Brady Singer might carry trade value then most think

Starting pitching always comes with a steep price tag at this time of year; even a middle-of-the-road starter like Singer. The right-hander has enjoyed a resurgence of late. Heading into his start on Wednesday, Singer has a 4.53 ERA in 20 starts, but that number drops to an impressive 2.92 if you look at his last nine appearances.

Frankly, the Reds should be able to secure a trade package similar to the one they gave up for Zack Littell last summer. Cincinnati shipped former pitching prospect Adam Serwinowksi and right-hander Brian Van Belle to the Tampa Bay Rays in order to acquire Littell at last year's deadline.

Adams underwent Tommy John surgery last spring, so his performance this season has been limited to just 43 innings. The righty has a passable 3.56 ERA and an impressive 57.5% ground ball rate, but the Reds should be able to get a little bit more in order to seal a deal with the White Sox.

Maybe another top-25 organizational prospect like Landon Hodge, Blake Larson, or even Mathias LaCombe would be enough to push such a deal across the finish line.

As the August 3 deadline approaches, teams will need to decide just how aggressive they plan to be. The Reds, though they've gained some ground in the Wild Card standings, look to be one of the few sellers at this year's deadline.

Other starters are rumored to be available (Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, and Tarik Skubal) at the deadline as well, but Singer's cost — both in terms of money and prospect capital — will be intriguing for several teams, not the least of which are the White Sox.

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