Four Trade Ideas the Cincinnati Reds Should Explore to Reallocate Resources After Dealing Closer Alexis Díaz in a Blockbuster

The Cincinnati Reds are in the middle of a transformative phase, and the recent decision to part ways with closer Alexis Díaz signals a significant shift in strategy. Díaz, a hard-throwing righty who served as the team’s anchor in the bullpen for the past two seasons, was not just a late-inning weapon—he was a symbol of the Reds’ recent attempts to compete with youth and energy. However, the club has now opted to move in a new direction, prioritizing the reallocation of assets and a broader retooling of its roster.

The return package for Díaz may have filled some organizational needs, but it has also left a noticeable void at the back end of the bullpen. More importantly, it has created an opportunity for the front office to rethink its resource distribution. With Díaz’s salary off the books and a few areas of surplus still on the roster, Cincinnati has the flexibility to shape the team in a way that better aligns with both immediate competitiveness and long-term sustainability. That means exploring trade opportunities that turn excess into balance.

The Reds are blessed with an abundance of infield talent, both on the major league roster and in the upper levels of their minor league system. The breakout of Elly De La Cruz, the steady progression of Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte, and the versatility of Spencer Steer and Jonathan India give them an enviable depth chart—but also create positional traffic. Add in top prospects like Edwin Arroyo and Carlos Jorge waiting in the wings, and the logjam becomes clearer. While depth is a blessing, it can also be a squandered resource if not leveraged correctly. Cincinnati could move one or more of these players in exchange for upgrades in areas of need, particularly the bullpen, outfield, and starting rotation.

One potential trade candidate is Jonathan India. Once seen as a cornerstone player, India has struggled to stay healthy and find consistent production over the past two seasons. With younger, more dynamic infielders surpassing him, his role is increasingly uncertain. India still holds value as a former Rookie of the Year with strong clubhouse presence and leadership qualities. A team in need of a second baseman—such as the Seattle Mariners or Boston Red Sox—could be willing to offer a controllable reliever or mid-rotation starter in return. For the Reds, trading India wouldn’t be a knock on his talent but rather a strategic decision to maximize his value before it diminishes further.

Another avenue worth exploring is the outfield. While the Reds have seen flashes from Will Benson and TJ Friedl, they lack a true power bat or a consistent right-handed hitting outfielder. Jake Fraley has provided some offense but struggles against left-handed pitching. With outfielders like Stuart Fairchild and Nick Martini floating between Triple-A and the majors, the Reds might look to consolidate that group. Packaging a younger, controllable outfielder along with a prospect could net a reliable high-leverage reliever or a power-hitting corner outfielder. One name that could emerge as a target is Austin Meadows, who, if healthy, offers the kind of lefty power bat the Reds desperately need in the middle of the order. A change of scenery and a more hitter-friendly home park could reignite his career.

The rotation is another area of focus. While Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott have shown immense potential, injuries and inconsistency continue to plague the unit. Graham Ashcraft has also been streaky, and outside of those arms, the Reds have relied on a revolving door of fill-ins. Adding a durable veteran who can log innings and offer mentorship to the young staff would go a long way. Someone like Michael Lorenzen, who already has ties to the organization and provides versatility as a starter or reliever, could make sense. Acquiring such a pitcher could require parting with a mid-tier prospect or even considering a deal involving backup catcher Luke Maile, especially with Tyler Stephenson and Austin Wynns able to share duties behind the plate.

The Reds might also consider trading from their bullpen surplus. While Díaz was the most prominent name, Cincinnati still has Fernando Cruz, Lucas Sims, and Sam Moll—arms that have shown they can be effective in spurts. Sims, in particular, could draw interest from contenders looking for playoff-tested relievers. He’s under team control for a bit longer and could be packaged in a deal that returns a prospect or a platoon bat. In this case, the Reds would be betting on internal options like Tejay Antone or young arms like Lyon Richardson and Carson Spiers to step into higher-leverage roles. This is a risk, but one that could be worthwhile if it brings back a long-term asset.

Another bold move would be to trade one of their upper-tier prospects to obtain a controllable impact player. While this strategy is not without risk, it could accelerate the Reds’ timeline. For instance, a player like Carlos Jorge—who has offensive upside and positional versatility—could headline a package for a team looking to rebuild. The Reds could aim for someone like Paul Sewald or Kyle Finnegan—relievers who have excelled in recent years but play for clubs currently outside the playoff picture. These types of trades reflect a “buy now” mentality without fully mortgaging the future. Cincinnati has the farm system depth to make such a move.

Then there’s the international market. With Díaz gone, the Reds may decide to redistribute his salary savings into international scouting and development. While not a trade in the traditional sense, it’s another form of resource reallocation that could yield long-term dividends. The Reds have been active in Latin America in recent years and could double down on that pipeline to bring in the next wave of talent. That, combined with strategic MLB trades, creates a layered approach to sustaining a competitive roster.

It’s also worth monitoring teams on the fringe of contention by the All-Star break. The Reds could be opportunistic, offering big-league-ready talent in exchange for veterans on expiring deals. This short-term rental strategy, often used by playoff hopefuls, could be reversed if Cincinnati finds itself in a buyer’s market. Conversely, if the season takes a downward turn, the Reds could use the Díaz trade as the first of many moves to usher in a more thorough rebuild. Either way, flexibility is the key.

Cincinnati’s front office is at a crossroads. The trade of Alexis Díaz is more than a one-for-one swap—it’s an open door to reshape the roster around its emerging stars and correct some of the roster imbalances that have hampered the team. With a top-10 farm system, surplus infield talent, and a handful of tradable veterans, the Reds are in a position to make moves that will define the next era of baseball in the Queen City.

There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint. But what the Díaz trade has done is create urgency and opportunity. If the Reds can act decisively and creatively, they may turn one difficult move into a cascade of positive changes that elevate the club into a true playoff contender. The moves won’t be easy, and not every fan will agree with every trade. But stagnation isn’t an option for a club this close to turning the corner.

It’s time for the Reds to move with purpose, reallocate their talent pool, and push forward. Whether it’s a reshaped bullpen, a fortified outfield, or a more durable rotation, the post-Díaz era offers a chance to reimagine what this team can be—not just this year, but for the seasons to come.