Cincinnati Reds: Three Low Risk, High Reward Trade Targets

The Cincinnati Reds are 55-50, working on a three-game winning streak heading into the trade deadline. With the possibility of the organization making a purchase, here are some low-risk, high-reward opportunities available on the market.

Cincinnati Reds: Three Low Risk, High Reward Trade Targets

JP Sears – (SP) – Athletics

Sears’ availability has been his strongest trait, despite the average stuff and results.

2023: 32 GS — 172 1/3 IP — 4.54 ERA

2024: 32 GS — 180 2/3 IP — 4.38 ERA

2025 (current): 21 GS — 106 2/3 IP — 4.98 ERA

He has not missed a single start in the past three seasons, making him the ideal back-end of the rotation arm. He will not cost much if the Reds want to slot him into the five spot in the rotation.

While the ERA doesn’t excite fans by any means, there is inherent value in a guy who is guaranteed to take the bump every five days and save the bullpen from overworking. Sears can even become a long reliever if the Reds decide to, as he has experience out of the bullpen, having pitched for the Yankees in 2022.

Sears is currently pre-arbitration and is under team control through 2028.

Dylan Moore – (UTL) – Mariners

Dylan Moore has flashed the leather for a long time up in the Pacific Northwest, but a departure seems imminent for the 32-year-old.

He took home a Gold Glove Award for his services as a utility player in 2024, as he has the versatility to handle a whopping seven positions on the field.

Innings logged at each position in 2025:

1B — 27 2/3 — (0 DRS)

2B — 175 — (4 DRS)

3B — 79 — (0 DRS)

SS — 28 — (-2 DRS)

LF — 137 1/3 — (0 DRS)

CF — 2 — (0 DRS)

RF — 120 1/3 — (-2 DRS)

He is, without a doubt, one of the most talented defensive players in the league. While his defensive runs saved metrics don’t jump off the page, there is immense value in a guy who can be league average on defense at that many positions.

Offensively, he’s performing as expected for a guy tasked with handling seven positions throughout the year. His .200/.263/.372 slash line is good for a .635 OPS.

While it is certainly below average, it is still better than Cincinnati’s current utility man, Santiago Espinal’s .606 OPS. On top of Moore’s better defense at more positions, he would be a huge upgrade off the bench for Terry Francona.

He would be a valuable Swiss Army knife all over the field for Cincinnati, a coveted player archetype for all teams with postseason aspirations.

Moore is making $3.9 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of the year.

Rafael Montero – (RP) – Braves

The Atlanta Braves have shown interest in shipping away their rentals, which include middle reliever Rafael Montero. His ERA currently sits at a high mark of 4.82. However, he is a good example of why ERA for relievers does not tell the whole story, as relievers are the most volatile position group.

Montero’s 2025 Metrics:

3.48 xERA — (69th percentile)

.218 xBA — (82nd percentile)

89.5 MPH Avg Exit Velo — (48th percentile)

32.8 Chase% — (91st percentile)

29.2 Whiff% — (77th percentile)

24.7 K% — (68th percentile)

12.7 BB% — (5th percentile)

43.4 Hard-Hit% — (28th percentile)

45.5 GB% — (66th percentile)

His ability to miss bats and generate ground balls will be a welcome sight to Cincinnati’s bullpen, which needs reliever depth. His walks are a cause for concern, but Cincinnati has shown the ability to retool and develop a plethora of pitching talent.

Given his rental status and subpar surface-level production over the past three seasons, the cost for Montero should be relatively low. With his upside of being a swing-and-miss guy, locking down the middle innings, Cincinnati should target him at the deadline.

The worst-case scenario is that he doesn’t pan out, and they let him walk in free agency.

Montero is making $2.9 million this season and is a free agent at the end of the year.