Reds early offseason trade with Rays paves path for rising Fall League star

The Cincinnati Reds kickstarted the MLB offseason with a trade. The Reds shipped utility infielder/ outfielder Ryan Vilade — a player they claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals midway through the 2025 season — to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations.

This deal isn't going to make any headlines, nor will it save the Reds any real money for free agent spending this offseason. In fact, it does little more than clear an extra roster spot. However, that may well have been the exact reason why the Reds' front office pulled off this trade so quickly.

Several young prospects have hit the ground running during the Arizona Fall League, and Cincinnati needs to free up some space on the 40-man roster. After Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagán, and others entered free agency on Sunday, the Reds roster was still maxed out at 40 players. With Vilade now gone, it's apparent that Cincinnati is looking to make some space for some of their up-and-coming talent.

Reds clear roster space by trading trading Ryan Vilade to the Rays

As they do every year, the Reds sent several top prospects out to the desert to compete in the Arizona Fall League. Typically a training ground for young players who've yet to make it to the big leagues, several players on the Reds current roster have cut their teeth in the Arizona Fall League. Tyler Stephenson, Noelvi Marte, and Rece Hinds are a few names that come to mind.

The Reds sent the likes of Alfredo Duno, Luke Hayden, Cam Collier, and others out to Arizona this fall. Rhett Lowder, who missed the entire season while dealing with elbow and oblique injuries, is also getting in some extra reps in the AFL.

One player who's shined in the AFL this season, however, is Leo Balcazar. A shortstop prospect, Balcazar leads the league in hits and has easily been the Reds most impressive prospect in the Fall League this year. He'll be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft in December if the Reds don't add him to the 40-man roster, something Cincinnati's trade with Tampa Bay should help facilitate. The Reds will also need to add prospects like Edwin Arroyo and Hector Rodriguez.

Balcazar won't be the only Reds prospect added to the 40-man roster, and Vilade won't be the only subtraction. But Monday's trade certainly sets the table for what could be an intriguing offseason in the Queen City.