Reds path to October just got easier thanks to Brewers bizarre trade with Red Sox

Hope springs eternal with pitchers and catchers beginning to arrive in Goodyear on Monday, but some wild things are happening in the NL Central that could definitely work in the Cincinnati Reds favor.

The Milwaukee Brewers bizarre trade with the Boston Red Sox had several MLB experts and pundits shaking their heads. As part of a six-player trade, the Brewers sent NL Rookie of the Year finalist Caleb Durbin, infielders Andruw Monasterio and Andrew Seigler, and a Competitive Balance Round B pick to the Red Sox in exchange for pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan as well as infielder David Hamilton.

This deal represents the second blockbuster of the offseason for Matt Arnold and the Brewers' front office who also sent their ace Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets for a prospect-laden package back in January.

Brewers trade with the Red Sox could open the door for the Reds

It would be unwise to discount the Brewers' chances to win the NL Central in 2026. Milwaukee has proven the doubters wrong time and time again. But at some point, one has wonder if the magic will finally run out. The Brewers were able to trade former Cy Young Award-winner Corbin Burnes and All-Star closers Josh Hader and Devin Williams while still remaining competitive. This one feels a bit more risky, however.

While Milwaukee could certainly make a move ahead of Opening Day to fill the recently created void at third base, it sounds as if the Brewers might give Sal Frelick an audition at the hot corner. This would be quite the pivot just days before position players arrive in Arizona.

The Reds, on the other hand, have done a good job of adding complementary players while also keeping their core intact. The addition of Eugenio Suárez and a full season of Sal Stewart could add plenty of pop to a Reds lineup that ranked 21st in home runs and slugging last season.

Cincinnati lost Brent Suter, Nick Martinez, and Scott Barlow, but replaced them with Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, and Pierce Johnson. The Reds also re-signed Emilio Pagán to a two-year contract and have (arguably) the best starting rotation in the division.

The Cubs look like the odds-on favorite to win the NL Central, while the Reds, Brewers, and Pittsburgh Pirates will all be jockeying for second place. But the games aren't played on paper, they're played on the field. The Brewers' odd offseason certainly has Reds fans thinking they can finally slay the dragon, but they'll need to prove it once the season gets underway.