The Cincinnati Reds are currently 43-46 — 5.5 games back in the National League Central division — and right on the cusp of being either a "seller" or a "buyer" at the trade deadline. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer speculates the Reds will unload some chips at the July 31 deadline, but doesn't expect any big names to leave the Queen City.
"They have five veteran pitchers — Arthur Rhodes, David Weathers, Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo and Francisco Cordero — who will attract interest. I don't think you'll see all five go," writes Fay.
"One, [Reds CEO] Bob Castellini would like to at least end the streak of losing seasons — that's still an attainable goal. Two, the Reds have the core in place to be a contender. I don't think they're one player from that, but I don't think they need to turn the whole roster over either.
You trade veterans at the deadline for two reasons: a) To get prospects and b) to free up payroll to land free agents in the future."
Freeing up some change by unloading a couple of veteran arms could help them land a game-changing free agent this offseason. Fay lists Matt Holliday, Marco Scutaro, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady as intriguing names for Cincinnati management to consider.
