Will Benson's surge is throwing a wrench in the Reds’ trade deadline plans

In case you’ve been tuned out, it’s time to wake up to what’s happening in Cincinnati. Will Benson is absolutely on fire — and in the process, he’s forcing the Cincinnati Reds' front office to rethink their entire trade deadline approach.

After a quiet start to the season that included a quick demotion to Triple-A Louisville, Benson has returned to the big league roster with something to prove — and boy, is he proving it. Since being recalled on May 9, the 26-year-old outfielder has been nothing short of sensational. He’s provided exactly the kind of offensive jolt the Reds have been desperate to find from their outfield unit all season long.

Benson has been in the middle of a huge hot streak, highlighted by homering in four straight games. That streak peaked with a two-homer, three-hit, three-RBI performance against the Cleveland Guardians this past Sunday. Over his last six games, Benson is batting a ridiculous .526 while driving in 10 runs — numbers that have not only elevated his season stat line but have also started shifting the conversation about the Reds' deadline needs.

Will Benson's recent hot-streak could take Luis Robert Jr. off the Reds' radar

For months, the speculation around Cincinnati has been that the Reds could be major players for a big-name outfield bat at the deadline, with Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. frequently linked as a potential target. The fit made sense on paper. A dynamic, power-hitting outfielder with elite athleticism, exactly what the Reds' offense seemed to lack. However Benson’s recent surge has made that need a little less urgent. In fact, you could argue that Benson is doing a pretty convincing Robert impression already — and doing it better.

Let’s compare the two. Robert, who has struggled to stay healthy and consistent in recent seasons, is slashing just .184/.282/.309 with five home runs and 17 RBI across 152 at-bats. Meanwhile, Benson has matched that home run total in just 30 at-bats since his return. It’s a small sample, sure, but it’s impossible to ignore the impact Benson is having right now.

Of course, fans have seen this movie before. Benson is no stranger to hot streaks, he’s always shown flashes of brilliance but ultimately continued to struggle with consistency. So the big question remains: Is this the real Will Benson, or just another heater?

Will Benson is forcing the Reds to rethink their trade deadline strategy

That’s something only time will answer, but the Reds have to be thrilled that this question is being asked in May and not in July. Benson’s performance between now and the trade deadline will go a long way toward determining whether Cincinnati should push chips in for an external addition — or trust the player they already have.

For now, Benson’s breakout has bought the Reds something incredibly valuable. Flexibility. Rather than rushing to make a move that could mortgage future assets for a player like Robert, the Reds can afford to wait and evaluate whether Benson’s performance is sustainable.

And if it is? Cincinnati might just have their in-house solution. A cost-controlled, left-handed slugger with the athleticism to impact both sides of the ball — a player who looks a lot like the one they were rumored to chase at the deadline.

Reds fans should enjoy the ride while it lasts. Benson is forcing the front office to pump the brakes on any desperation moves. And if he keeps swinging like this, the front office might not need to make one at all.

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