Reds deadline disappointment mirrors Astros' failure and puts Nick Krall in the spotlight

The Cincinnati Reds trade deadline was, in a word, disappointing. Some fans might choose a stronger word, but disappointing conveys the overall sentiment. The Reds were expected to be sellers and move off all their expiring contracts. Instead, they traded just two players — Nathaniel Lowe and Caleb Ferguson.

While it's always difficult to discern whether these types of decisions are made at the front office level or higher (i.e. ownership), the bottom line is that Nick Krall has quickly found himself in hot water with the majority of the Reds fanbase.

Krall has presided over the Reds' baseball operations since 2022, and has exactly zero playoff wins to show for it. He's stuck his foot in his mouth on multiple occasions, but the lack of action at this year's deadline should have him on the hot seat as the offseason approaches.

Reds president Nick Krall should be sharing the hot seat with Astros GM Dana Brown

The Houston Astros were another organization that had a relatively quiet deadline. Astros GM Dana Brown talked about acquiring pitching before Monday's deadline passed, but instead, Houston traded away one of their young starters (Spencer Arrighetti) in exchange for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho.

Most observers believe that Houston has to make it back to the postseason — and maybe even advance — in order for Brown to keep his job. Astros owner Jim Crane always likes to keep that window of winning open, and if Houston misses the playoffs for a second year in a row, it's likely curtains for Brown in H-Town.

Brown took over the reigns in Houston's front office in 2023. The Astros' winning percentage since that time has steadily decreased, but they currently lead the way in the AL West (58-56). But with the Seattle Mariners hot on their tail, the Astros can hardly afford to take their foot off the gas with just under two months left in the season.

Though Houston is in much better position to make a postseason run, one has to wonder if the same fate that awaits Brown is in store for Krall if Cincinnati falls short of their goal.

It can't be forgotten that this was supposed to be the year that the Reds figured it out and made a deep run in the playoffs. Instead, they're six games back of the final NL Wild Card spot entering play on Tuesday, and Krall's disheartening approach to the deadline did nothing to make the team better.

You can't fire ownership, and while he's certainly deserving of some of the blame, Reds manager Terry Francona will get a pass if Cincinnati misses the playoffs. So whether you want to call Krall the "fall guy" or just recognize that he's not the man for the job, his time in the Reds front office could be coming to an end unless this team makes a magical return to the postseason.

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