The Cincinnati Reds made multiple moves before the trade deadline this year, attempting to fix the problems plaguing them all season. These include (but are not limited to): weak defense, inconsistency at the plate and on the mound, and injuries.
Were the moves made enough to move the needle, though? After all, this front office doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to team building. Despite the odds and their recent history of selling, here’s why the Reds crushed the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
Already showing why he’s considered the best defensive third baseman on the planet, Ke’Bryan Hayes took no time at all to introduce himself to Cincinnati. Since being traded to the Reds, Hayes is averaging .236 at the plate with 13 hits, five RBI, and two home runs in six games.
In Hayes’ 100 games as a Pittsburgh Pirate, he was also a .236 hitter with two home runs, so he’s already on track to be more productive statistically. As mentioned, however, the reason he was acquired was his defense.
Seemingly, every other game Hayes puts on a defensive showcase and makes the near-impossible look routine. Whether or not his numbers behind the plate improve or plateau, his defense will keep him as Cincinnati’s everyday third baseman for the foreseeable future.
With the Oakland Athletics, Miguel Andujar averaged .298 with six home runs in 60 games. Since joining the Reds, he’s hitting .359 with three home runs and nine RBI.
It is safe to assume Andujar’s average will come down to Earth at some point, as he’s only played 13 games with his new team. With Cincinnati having struggled all season to find a legitimate four-hitter, though, he’s been exactly what they’ve needed.
Unlike Hayes, Andujar was brought in exclusively for his offensive prowess. His average should still drop eventually, but make no mistake, a player averaging close to .300 with this kind of power is still a phenomenal hitter.
Rounding out Cincinnati’s rotation is the former Tampa Bay Ray, Zach Littell. In his 22 games for Tampa this season, he posted a 3.58 ERA and gave up 26 home runs and 21 walks.
As a Red, although it’s only a three-game sample size, Littell is averaging a 3.06 ERA with 14 strikeouts while giving up only one home run and three walks. What’s impressive, though, is that he’s increased his strikeout percentage from 16.6 percent to almost 19 percent.
Cincinnati already had a solid pitching staff, but the addition of Littell is beneficial in multiple ways. While he was brought in with the intent of entering the starting rotation in place of Nick Martinez, Nick Lodolo’s injury forced Martinez back in the fold.
With Chase Burns also placed on the IL, Littell quickly showed that his presence is a plus by keeping the starting pitching staff solid top to bottom. When Lodolo and Burns return, and the bullpen gets a little more relief (pun intended), the starting rotation anchored by Littell might be the best in baseball.
In exchange for these three players, Cincinnati sent away Taylor Rodgers, Sammy Stafura, Brian Van Bell, Adam Serwinowski, and Kenya Huggins. Aside from Taylor Rodgers (who was inconsistent at best), none of these were guys who are part of the team’s current run.
By making these trades, the Reds brought in an established clean-up hitter, a consistent starting arm, and the best defensive third baseman in the MLB. Despite their track record of disappointing fans, Cincinnati’s front office crushed the 2025 trade deadline.
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