​History suggests the Cincinnati Reds face real pressure to avoid becoming sellers at the trading deadline on August 3. As of the series finale with the Cubs on Sunday, July 11, the Reds sat seven games under .500 at 43-51. By contrast, in 2024 they were sellers at the deadline when they were five games under .500, while in 2025 they were buyers at the deadline when they stood five games over .500. If July doesn’t shape up as the Reds’ strongest month of the season, the club could be forced to make some tough choices.
If the Reds do end up selling, several intriguing trade candidates could draw interest across the league.
Third baseman and designated hitter Eugenio Suárez: At this point a year ago, Suárez was the centerpiece of attention ahead of the trade deadline, an All-Star enjoying one of the league’s most powerful seasons. This year has been a different story, as Suárez has struggled to produce at the plate for the Reds. Still, he carries a proven track record of going on prolonged hot stretches, and there remains a noticeable scarcity of quality third basemen throughout MLB.
First baseman and designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe: Many teams may regret not signing Lowe to a major league contract this past winter. Lowe joined the Reds in February on a minor league deal and has been a productive hitter against right-handed pitching all season. He could slot into a platoon role or serve as a prominent bench option for numerous clubs around the league.
Catcher Tyler Stephenson: If the Reds decide not to trade him, Stephenson would become the first homegrown Reds player since Michael Lorenzen in 2021 to reach free agency at the end of his rookie contract with Cincinnati. With most other homegrown talents traded or released before free agency, good catchers are hard to come by, and Stephenson has quietly been very effective since early June. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
Reliever Caleb Ferguson: Ferguson has been traded a few times in his big league career, and teams continuously seek left-handed specialists at the deadline. After missing the first two months of the year with an oblique injury, Ferguson has delivered solid performance and lived up to his reputation as a dependable veteran arm. He will be a free agent at season’s end.
Reliever Brock Burke: Burke proved to be a valuable offseason acquisition for the Reds, obtained in a three-team deal in which Gavin Lux was dealt in January. Burke is a left-handed pitcher with enough arsenal to retire hitters on both sides of the plate, and his versatility is an ongoing selling point. He’s also slated to be a free agent at season’s end.
Reliever Pierce Johnson: Johnson has established himself as one of the more reliable middle relievers in MLB dating back to the 2023 season. His versatility makes him a fit for many bullpens, and the Reds have been diligent about deepening their bullpen. While some returning relievers from last year have faced injuries and the rookie relievers have shown both promise and inconsistency, Johnson’s track record makes him a highly desirable asset heading toward the trade deadline.