The Cincinnati Reds are already gearing up to be major sellers at the trade deadline, which is wild to think about when their shortstop Elly De La Cruz is still putting up strong numbers. Despite that, the Reds are sitting at the bottom of the NL Central standings, and while a Wild Card spot is technically possible, it’s looking pretty unlikely. But hey, this tough spot means they have some serious trade chips, and one outfielder is suddenly shining bright.
That guy is JJ Bleday, and he's been an absolute breakout story for Cincinnati. He started the season down at Triple-A, but since coming up, he’s posted an insane .846 OPS with 16 home runs in just 67 games. Remember this dude? The Athletics actually designated him for assignment last season before the Reds snagged him in 2026. FanSided's Christopher Kline rightly called Bleday's season a "bright spot" amidst the Reds' rough trajectory, adding that with him under club control all the way through 2028, Cincinnati could "flip him for significant value." It's a huge turnaround from his 2025 season with the A's, where his OPS dipped to .698 and his strikeout rate went way up. But the Reds clearly saw something they could fix in his swing, and now he's a valuable everyday player for manager Terry Francona.
So, here's the kicker: his Reds tenure might be short-lived. Cincy has to "weigh the risk and reward of carrying Bleday into next season as opposed to selling when his value has reached what is probably its absolute highest point," Kline points out. Basically, do they keep a guy who's finally found his stride, or cash in big while the market is hot? Honestly, "every team needs outfield help," and you bet there are contending teams out there who are gonna be lining up for Bleday at the deadline.
This trade deadline is gonna be wild, and not just for the Reds. Speaking of potential moves, there's talk about a "realistic" trade idea out there that would send Seiya Suzuki from the Cubs to our very own Mariners for Luis Castillo. Can you believe that? It just shows you how much movement we could see. Get ready, the next few weeks are gonna be insane!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.