Reds trade with Pirates has a hidden angle most fans are overlooking

The Cincinnati Reds quietly traded utility player Tyler Callihan to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, and in return received right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas. Callihan's chances of making the team's Opening Day roster were virtually nonexistent, but this trade says less about the Reds' lack of confidence in his abilities and more about their hesitancy with the young relievers.

Callihan suffered a broken forearm last season after crashing into the wall along the left field foul line at Truist Park in Atlanta. He returned to Goodyear this spring, and while a roster spot seemed out of reach, the mere fact that he was back on the field became the feel-good story of camp. But if Callihan hopes to return to the big leagues in 2026, he'll have to earn his way back on a new team.

While the subtraction of the left-handed hitting infielder likely signals that non-roster invitee Nathaniel Lowe is ticketed for the Opening Day roster, the addition of Nicolas should act as a warning shot to the likes of Zach Maxwell, Luis Mey, and even Connor Phillips.

Reds-Pirates trade just put Cincy's young relievers on notice

Reds manager Terry Francona can't like what he's seen from his high-octane youngsters this spring. The trio of Maxwell, Mey, and Phillips have combined for 10 walks over seven innings of work, and Reds fans know all too well that Tito has no tolerance for free base runners.

If healthy, Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, and Graham Ashcraft are all locked into the Opening Day roster, but there's an ongoing battle in camp at the moment for the final two spots in the Reds bullpen.

Given how poorly Maxwell, Mey, and Phillips have performed this spring, Sam Moll and Tejay Antone may have already leapfrogged Cincy's young guns. Moll has allowed just one hit over three innings — though he has walked two batters — and Antone has been flawless. The injury-riddled veteran has recorded two strikeouts during a pair of outings during Cactus League play.

Nicolas, 27, has allowed two hits and struck out two of the eight batters he faced so far this spring. The right-hander didn't allow a run or a walk during his time with the Pirates this spring, and will undoubtedly be given a chance to break camp with the Reds upon his arrival in Goodyear.

But even if Nicolas begins the year at Triple-A Louisville — he has one minor-league option remaining — the fireballer gives Francona some insurance when one of the Reds relievers inevitably suffers an injury. Maxwell, Mey, and Phillips will have to step up their game if they hope to called upon at some point later this season.