The trade deadline has come and gone, and a lot of teams made moves to position themselves for a postseason run. However, one team that blew a big opportunity to better their starting rotation to make a potential run was the Cincinnati Reds. Despite having one of the worst starting rotations in baseball, Cincinnati opted to not do anything about it at the trade deadline. Cincinnati not only squandered an opportunity to build on their surprising momentum but Castellini could’ve gained goodwill from Reds fans. I think the Reds cost themselves a playoff run by not addressing their rotation.
The Most Surprising Team In Baseball
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter losing 100 games last season, the Cincinnati Reds have become a great turnaround story this season. Since calling up top prospect Elly De La Cruz, this team has become a part of the NL Central division race with the Brewers and Cubs. Their offense is currently ranked inside the top ten in all of baseball and is the reason for their success. As great as their offense has been this season, their pitching staff has been the Reds’ Achilles heel.
One Of The Worst Pitching Staff’s In Baseball
Embed from Getty ImagesThe big issue holding back the Reds from running away with the NL Central is their pitching staff. As a staff, the Reds have an earned run average of 4.89 and only the Nationals, Royals, Rockies, and Athletics have worse ERAs. The team also has the fourth worse FIP in baseball and only the Nationals, Rockies, and Athletics have higher FIPs. To have a deep postseason run, a team needs great pitching.
The weakest link in the Reds rotation is Luke Weaver. Since signing with the Reds, he has been a disaster as a starter. This season, Weaver has a record of 2-4 with an ERA of 6.98 and a FIP of 6.05. Weaver is also currently tied for 12th in home runs given up with 22. If the Reds acquired a starting pitcher, this would’ve allowed them to get Weaver out of the rotation. Since the Reds didn’t make a move, this forces them to keep him in the rotation. Still having Weaver in the rotation will hinder the Reds chances to win the division or make a postseason run.
Plenty Of Arms Were Available
During this trade deadline, there was no shortage of starting pitchers who were available. Top end starting pitchers like Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Lorenzen, Lucas Giolito, Jordan Montgomery, and others were available. At one point during the deadline the Reds were linked to Giolito. The Reds farm system is ranked in the top five in all of baseball and Cincinnati could’ve easily acquired a premier arm. I believe if Cincinnati made a splash move for a pitcher this deadline it would’ve made a huge difference. Since nobody is running away with the NL Central division and given how explosive the Reds offense has been, they would’ve have set themselves up to distance themselves from the Brewers and Cubs.
The Opportunity The Reds Missed
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is bad decisions like this that have made the fans question whether the Castellinis will ever be serious about winning. Pitching is the most important thing to win at the big-league level and the Cincinnati desperately need it. The young players have put this team in a position to have a chance at going to the postseason, why not build on that momentum? Nobody is running away with the NL Central and the Reds missed a big opportunity to distance themselves from Chicago and Milwaukee.
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