MLB Rumors: Corbin Burnes value, Reds deadline plans, White Sox pivot

MLB Rumors: Are the Cincinnati Reds ready to buy?

As the NL Central continues to falter, the Cincinnati Reds are in play. The Reds, who have been on fire of late after the promotion of Elly De La Cruz, are just one games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for first place, and a half-game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates for second. Once viewed as a surefire seller at the trade deadline, suddenly the Reds have a whole lot to play for.

Reds general manager Nick Krall mentioned the possibility of adding to the roster at the deadline to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

“There’s nothing I see that is going to impede us from making an acquisition,” Krall said.

If Cincinnati did buy, though, where would they look?

The Reds biggest need is pitching, as they have one of the worst starting pitching staffs in the National League. FanSided’s Zach Pressnell opined a couple of starting pitchers the Reds could target come late July, should they still be in the NL Central race.

While viewed as a pipe dream of sorts, Dylan Cease (or even Lucas Giolito) of the White Sox would be a great addition. Cease is still under contract for a few years, and would be the ace the Reds so desperately covet.

"“Now, there are a lot of roadblocks between where we stand today and this trade happening. The White Sox would need to blow up their roster in order for him to really be made available. If the White Sox were to do that, the Reds front office would also need to enter uncharted territory. Not only has this current Reds front office never really bought at the deadline, to acquire Cease, they would need to go all-in…Although this isn’t likely, a Reds fan can dream, right?”"

Cease would be a home run acquisition from this Reds front office if they were to pull it off.