Reds’ humiliating collapse vs. Nationals might shift everything at the trade deadline

The Cincinnati Reds have one more chance to salvage the series against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday afternoon in D.C., but the damage has already been done. The Reds have been embarrassed by one of the worst teams in the National League and now, several veterans could be on the chopping block with the MLB trade deadline just over a week away.

Heading into Wednesday's series finale, the Reds are 3½ games back in the chase for the final NL Wild Card spot. While that's not necessarily an insurmountable hill to climb, the teams in front of Cincinnati — San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers — will clearly be buying at the deadline.

Reds GM Brad Meador has been adamant that Cincinnati is not looking to go all-in at the trade deadline, meaning that top-end talent like Jarren Duran and Josh Naylor won't be on a flight to Cincinnati unless they're playing for another team. Without significant upgrades to the roster, it seems unlikely that the Reds will be able to compete down the stretch.

Reds’ collapse vs. Nationals may have turned Cincy into sellers at the MLB trade deadline

It may be time for the Reds to reverse course at the MLB trade deadline and focus on the 2026 season rather than their pursuit of the playoffs in 2025. While there's no need to enter a full-blown fire sale before July 31, the Reds have a number of veterans who could be intriguing to other ball clubs.

Pitchers like Emilio Pagán, Taylor Rogers, and Nick Martinez could bring back some tantalizing prospects in a trade. All three pitchers will be free agents after the season, and outside of Pagán, it's hard to see the Reds making an attempt to bring them back next season.

On the position player side, outfielders Austin Hays and Jake Fraley may be able to garner some interest on the trade market. Hays will enter free agency this winter, and Fraley is only under team control for one more season. Gavin Lux is another name to watch if the Reds decide to sell.

Though unlikely to be dealt, both Tyler Stephenson and TJ Friedl could bring back quite the haul at the deadline. The Reds have shown no interest to this point in agreeing to a long-term deal with Stephenson, and Friedl's long-term fit atop the batting order should be in question after his slash line has plummeted. The Reds centerfielder is hitting just .217/.333/.344 since June 1.

With Terry Francona at the helm, it seems unlikely that Cincinnati will look to sell off all their assets, but a mixture of buying and selling at the MLB trade deadline should be expected. The Reds have now lost three straight games, and in doing so, put the front office in a precarious position.

With the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers up next, who knows which direction the Reds will take before the trade deadline.

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