The Cincinnati Reds have strong pitching depth but are lacking in big-league hitting. Their pitching rotation is headlined by Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer, with Andrew Abbott and Nick Martinez following behind.
Beyond them, prospects like Carson Spiers, Chase Petty, and Chase Burns are close to reaching the majors, and Rhett Lowder is expected to return from injury soon. Given this depth, it’s not surprising that the Reds might consider trading Martinez, who is the only starting pitcher with an expiring contract.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield recently projected that Cincinnati could deal Martinez during the season, noting, “Martinez is a valuable swingman, but with a $21 million salary — about $7 million for the final two months — he’s expensive for someone who might not even be in a playoff rotation.
” One ideal trade partner would be the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have the prospects to make a deal and could use a dependable right-hander like Martinez, especially with their current injury issues.
Martinez could also serve as a bullpen option for L.A. In return, the Reds could aim for a talented outfield prospect like James Outman or Dalton Rushing, which would be a major boost for Cincinnati’s struggling outfield group.
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