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3 Reds players who aren’t on the trade block, but should be

By Zach Pressnell

Jonathan India #6 and manager David Bell of the Cincinnati Reds look on from the dugout in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Great American Ball Park on April 18, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Jonathan India #6 and manager David Bell of the Cincinnati Reds look on from the dugout in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Great American Ball Park on April 18, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Jun 9, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Ben Lively (59) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Ben Lively (59) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Reds RHP Ben Lively hasn’t been discussed in trades much, but he should be

When discussing Cincinnati trade rumors, pitching has been by far the most important topic of discussion. But the Reds are hot and they’re winning, so the discussion has been about acquiring pitching, including a starter, not dealing it away. But with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo destined to return from injury as well as the potential to acquire a rental starter, there’s a chance the Reds could actually deal away one of their starting pitchers. And the choice is obvious.

Ben Lively is the choice, if the Reds decide to deal a starter away. Lively is much older than the rest of the Reds’ rotation, yet he still has five years of team control before becoming an unrestricted free agent. This kind of controllability, paired with his decent results, could cause a few teams to show serious interest. Losing Lively wouldn’t damage the Reds whatsoever, as long as they can get healthy this season and even potentially acquire a one-year rental option.

The Reds don’t need to be exclusive as sellers or buyers at the deadline. They are able to do both, and they should in order to set themselves up for current and future success. The best-case scenario for the Reds would be getting Greene and Lodolo back to join a staff that would already have Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson/a pitcher they trade for. Ben Lively isn’t needed in Cincinnati anymore and Reds fans don’t seem to realize it.

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