Reds rumors: 3 trades Cincinnati should make with fellow contenders
The Reds are the hottest team in the game. They have a few veterans that could be shipped away to other contenders before the trade deadline.
Typically, at the MLB Trade Deadline, there are sellers and buyers. Sellers are usually rebuilding teams that have older players to trade to a contending team to help that team make a playoff push. Buyers are usually teams that have good rosters but need to add a few pieces to their roster, usually at the price of some prospects.
Somehow, the Cincinnati Reds have found themselves as buyers and sellers at this year’s trade deadline. They have a super-talented roster, and they are a few pieces away from being a World Series contender. But they have valuable pieces that would be more valuable to another team.
These three veteran players could find themselves dealt to another contender before the trade deadline.
Reds Rumors: 3 trades to make with other contenders
3. The Reds should trade C Luke Maile to the Marlins
Almost every MLB team is lacking solid catching depth. The Reds don’t have this problem. They have a young catcher in Tyler Stephenson, who they see as the backstop of their future. They have a veteran backstop in Curt Casali, who the pitching staff, namely Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, have taken a keen liking to. Then they have Luke Maile, who has probably been their most well-rounded catcher in 2023.
But with Stephenson’s value and Casali’s importance to the pitching staff, Maile may be dealt before the trade deadline. The Marlins would be the perfect place to send him, as their backup catcher, Jacob Stallings, has been unplayable this year.
Stallings is having a much worse year than Maile and is lacking the veteran experience it would take to help lead the Marlins young pitching staff. One of the most underrated features of a catcher is their leadership. This becomes even more important when your pitching staff is filled with young flame throwers like the Marlins have.
The Marlins are looking to make a playoff push and the cost of Luke Maile wouldn’t be out of their budget. They could absolutely make a realistic deal with the Reds to acquire their veteran backstop.