Reds are quietly holding MLB's biggest trade deadline surprise Astros and Angels accidentally created

Shortstop is always a position of need, and two such players have garnered a lot of attention as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Houston Astros' standout Jeremy Peña and Los Angeles Angels star Zach Neto have been two of the most popular names with the deadline just over a week away, but neither player is likely to be moved.

Houston's general manager Dana Brown has reportedly turned down the Boston Red Sox's attempts to trade for Peña before next Monday's deadline. Instead, industry sources are calling the Astros buyers, not sellers.

As for the Angels, MLB.com beat writer Rhett Bollinger remains skeptical that interim GM John Mozeliak is truly shopping Neto. Bollinger cites the shortstop's three years of team control and the Angels' desire to compete as two of the biggest reasons LA is unlikely to trade Neto at the deadline.

The lack of available right-handed hitting shortstops could suddenly put the Cincinnati Reds in an interesting position. While the Reds are not said to be shopping Matt McLain ahead of the deadline, perhaps they should be.

Should the Reds be shopping Matt McLain at the MLB trade deadline?

Admittedly, the Reds would be selling low on McLain if they flipped the 26-year-old at this year's trade deadline. He's currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A, but is expected to be activated soon. McLain was hitting just .190/.293/.328 with a 71 wRC+ before being placed on the IL with a calf strain.

But McLain is only taking home $2.3 million this season, he's under team control through 2029, has minor-league options remaining, and is a former first-round pick. He's a terrific defender at second base, more than serviceable at shortstop, and has even taken some reps in the outfield this season. In other words, McLain could be the perfect "change of scenery" candidate at this year's trade deadline.

Even before landing on the IL, McLain was splitting time at second base with rookie infielder Edwin Arroyo. Though he hasn't really caught fire in the big leagues just yet, Arroyo's numbers aren't much worse than McLain's, and he comes with a much cheaper contract heading into 2027. McLain will be due an increase through arbitration while Arroyo will making the league minimum.

The Reds don't typically operate this way. Fans have seen highly touted players like Nick Senzel, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Rece Hinds slog their way through multiple seasons, and lose all conceivable value before being tossed aside for little more than a lottery ticket. But teams who are desperately seeking a right-handed hitting infielder may be pressed to make a deal at the deadline that they might otherwise avoid.

What's McLain's trade value? Tha's a good question, and one the Reds will never know unless they make him available. If the return isn't worth it, then they can simply hold tightly to their once promising infielder. But if a team is willing to offer up anything of significance for a player who's seemingly worn out his welcome in Cincinnati, Nick Krall and the Reds' front office would be foolish not to listen.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow