Reds GM Opens Up About Trading From Starting Pitching Depth
The Cincinnati Reds rode a sensational starting pitching staff into the playoffs this season for the first time in five years. With the likes of Andrew Abbott (2.87 ERA), Hunter Greene (2.76 ERA), and Nick Lodolo (3.33 ERA), along with innings-eater Brady Singer and top rookie prospect Chase Burns and a couple of other good young arms, the Reds have a plethora of depth in the rotation.
But does that mean that the Reds will be trading from that rotation depth to bring in more offense? Not so fast, team president Nick Krall told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“I wouldn’t say no (to trading a starter or two), but when you trade pitchers you’ve got to go (back)fill them somehow,” Krall said. “We all know how it works, where you run out of innings at some point in the season, guys get hurt, things happen.”
What's the old saying? You can never have too much pitching.
Krall also questions the wisdom that he could go out and trade a pitcher for an impact bat.
“It’s really hard to say we’re going to go trade a pitcher – and I’m not sure you’re going to trade a pitcher for offense,” Krall said. “You might end up trading the pitcher for a prospect and then go have to sign the offense (in free agency).
Nevertheless, hitting and fielding are the definite needs that the Reds must address this season to take it one step further in 2026.
“We want somebody who’s going to be able to add to this team,” Krall said. “Would you like more power? Sure. Would you like more defense? Sure. Are you going to get one guy who’s one dimensional and can’t do other things? No. You don’t want to do that.”
No question that Krall will be getting plenty of calls from teams on their starting pitching. Depending on the returns being offered, it could get to the point where it might be difficult for him to say no.
Photo: © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
