Areas of Need:

Like last year the Reds Bullpen is off to a slow start. They have a 4.64 ERA and a 1.36 whip in 12 games this season already. The ERA is 20th in the league right now as it stands. They have issued 21 free passes as well, which certainly doesn’t help matters, while only striking out 43 on the season. I believe the Reds so make a move for at least one Bullpen Arm listed below.

RHP – Chris Martin Boston – Red Sox

Martin is a hard-throwing right-hand pitcher who played a huge role in the backend of the Red Sox bullpen last year. He appeared in 55 games last year with a 4-1 record over 51.1 innings of work. He posted a 1.05 ERA, and 1.03 WHIP, walked eight, and struck out 46 batters. He has appeared in six games so far this year going 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. in six innings of work, he has issued one walk and struck out nine batters. His ERA is a little bloated due to his outing last night against the Baltimore Orioles where he allowed three of his four earned runs on the year in that one outing. So take out that one outing he would have one earned run in five innings of work. Martin is the kind of pitcher the Reds need in the back end of their bullpen to support Alexis Diaz and the starting rotation. Manager David Bell would welcome the arm as a weapon from the bullpen.

Potential trade: Chris Martin to the Reds for, SP Christian Roa

Roa has yet to pitch this season for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, but last season he made 28 appearances, with 25 starts earning a 5-9 record on the year. He threw 120.1 innings, had a 5.16 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and Struck out 170 batters. Boston needs young arms in their system and by the time the deadline rolls around I believe they will be sellers preparing for next year.

Secondary need

With the uncertainty around Noelvi Marte and the slow start for Jeimer Candelario, I think we could see the Reds make a move for either a Third base bat or a corner outfield bat while Spencer Steer moves back into the infield. I saw all this while we still are unsure when Matt Mclain could return from the injured list perhaps in August, but nothing says he comes back and stays healthy. Here are two names to watch out for.

3B – Jake Burger – Miami Marlins

Burger is a power bat who can play third but also should come cheap as he is working on a one-year deal worth $760,000. So he would be a rental before hitting free agency and not clogging the way for Top Prospect Noelvi Marte who has been suspended for banned substances. Burger has three home runs and 15 RBIs so far this season for the Marlins. Last season Burger hit 34 home runs while driving in 80 runs on the year.

Potential Trade: Jake Burger to the Reds for, 2B Carlos Jorge and DH Alfredo Duno

Duno has played four games so far this year for the Daytona Beach Single-A team slashing .214/.389/.286 on the young season. While Carlos Jorge is playing for the Dayton Dragons in High A this year. In four games this year he is currently slashing .188/.235/.375. I think Burger will come at a cost, but giving up one of ITD’s top 10 Reds Prospect in Carlos Jorge along with Duno a younger promising bat could get this deal done, depending on the demand for a right-hand power bat at the deadline.

OF – Sterling Marte – New York Mets

Now, this move is a little bit more challenging as the team already has Will Benson in right field, but if the Reds are looking to make a deep playoff push a veteran bat like Marte could be a good move, he is under contract until 2025, but still the Right-hand bat also plays good defense in right field and could provide manager David Bell with some options down the stretch. In 11 games so far this season Marte is slashing .256/.319/.349 with one home run and three RBIs.

Potential Trade: Sterling Marte to the Reds and pay a portion of his 2025 contract for, SP Chase Petty.

Now the only way this works by giving up Chase Petty a top Pitching prospect would be if the Mets split his 2025 salary which in total is over 20 million dollars, so if the Reds only were on the books for 10 million next year, but got the veteran outfielder for the playoff push and only had to give up Petty and perhaps another player to be named later this could be a decent deal for the Reds, who already have a bunch of young arms in the system, plus they keep Rhett Lowder in the system.

Wrap Up

The Reds have a solid young core but have some injuries and suspension concerns as we roll into the third week of the season. The bullpen addition of Chris Martin is the top priority for me as the bullpen was a concern last year and remains a concern early in 2024. The addition of the bat all hinges on the health of India and when McLain can return. Noelvi Marte was supposed to be the everyday third baseman to start the year, but not much has been mentioned of the prospect since his suspension, so it’s possible we do not even see him this year until September call-ups. Burger is the more likely move as it does not muddy the depth chart heading into 2025 but provides extra pop as they make the push for October Baseball. Marte would be a move that could surprise some folks, but the Mets are a hot mess and might have a fire sale come July, so keep your eye out for him. It’s early so a lot can change, but as of right now, these are way too early to predict moves for the Reds.