Reds might have a chance to buy low on a former Nationals top prospect

If Nick Krall has proven adept at one thing in recent years, it's his ability to win big on buy-low gambles. That's certainly not to suggest his track record is perfect in that regard, but some of the Cincinnati Reds' only reliable contributors in 2026 (e.g., JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe) were the result of low-risk signings that didn't garner a ton of headlines.

Krall has also made a few solid trades in that same vein, be it his pickup of Dane Myers a year ago or nabbing Spencer Steer for Tyler Mahle at the 2022 trade deadline. Now, his next opportunity to add a big-time contributor for a bargain price appears to be revealing itself.

According to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews is firmly on the trade block. The No. 2 overall pick in the MLB Draft just three years ago, Crews would bring a lot of upside and flexibility to the Reds' roster, assuming they can afford the price to acquire him.

Dylan Crews is a home-run swing worth taking only if the Reds are sure he won't strike out

Before we actually get into Crews' fit in Cincinnati, we need to acknowledge the fact that this won't be another Myers-esque swap. In that deal, the Reds forked over minor-league outfielder Ethan O’Donnell; in any potential offer for Crews, Krall will have to dig much deeper into his team's coffers.

The Nationals have been on the hunt for controllable starting pitching for a while, which is something the Reds have, but not in excess. Rhett Lowder — taken just five picks after Crews in the 2023 MLB Draft — Brandon Williamson and Andrew Abbott are some names to consider, though trading any of those players would place an even greater burden on Chase Burns to carry the rotation.

If Crews were playing up to his potential, all of this would sound like a bargain, and worth the cost regardless. But he's struggled at the plate during his brief MLB career (79 wRC+), though he offsets that with terrific baserunning and strong defense in the outfield.

Crews grades out as a positive defender at all three positions, which would give Terry Francona plenty of flexibility with his daily lineups. It also helps that he's still only 24 years old, under team control for five more seasons, and has two option years remaining.

Thus, a possible trade will all come down to the Reds' evaluation of his hitting tools. Crews possesses big-time bat speed and hits the ball really hard when he makes contact, but he just isn't doing enough of that to make an impact.

If the price is right, betting on his pedigree and upside would be a worthwhile gamble, but there's enough risk baked in to his profile that we wouldn't blame Krall for passing up a deal if the Nationals demand controllable pitching talent and more.

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