There’s an old saying in Major League Baseball: Sometimes, the best deals are the ones you don’t make. That has to be the rationalization made by the Cincinnati Reds this year at the Major League Baseball trading deadline.
Otherwise, the Reds sure look like one of the league’s biggest deadline losers.
The Reds played it so passively Monday, it made people wonder if the front office had fallen asleep. Should someone do a wellness check on team president Nick Krall? Had the commissioner quietly contracted the organization? One of the oldest franchises in the league, did the Reds simply transform into the Retireds?
Krall ended up making three very small trades while keeping several players with expiring contracts on the roster. Five games under .500 and six games back in the NL Wild Card, the Reds don’t appear headed anywhere without significant changes. And so, catcher Tyler Stephenson, right-hander Brady Singer, slugger Eugenio Suárez and relievers Brock Burke and Pierce Johnson — all free agents this coming offseason who had trade value — went nowhere.
Not that we should confuse activity with accomplishment. Other teams didn’t have to act like an inert gas to be losers at the deadline.
Milwaukee Brewers
Aug 1, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Jake Bauers (9) is greeted by left fielder Jackson Chourio (11) in the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images The Milwaukee Brewers have made five trades since mid-July, but let Tarik Skubal go to the Los Angeles Dodgers as the deadline winds blew. Milwaukee’s biggest additions were OK, getting Antonio Senzatela and JoJo Romero for the bullpen, and Dustin May for the rotation, but this was the moment for the Brewers to use all of that significant prospect depth and strike hard with bold moves. The Brewers already have established their ability to win 90-plus games every year. One thing they’ve never done: win a World Series. They must figure it’s better to wait until after the lockout to try.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees made a lot of moves at the deadline, but none of them addressed their big weaknesses at shortstop and catcher, along with a sense that the bullpen might be a little light for October. And actually, the lineup additions of Luis García and Heliot Rámos make you wonder if Aaron Judge won’t be back at all this season. And now they have to ride with prospect George Lombard Jr. at short, or else continue to thrash away with José Caballero and Anthony Volpe. No pressure, George!
Houston Astros
Jul 24, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a two run home run during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images The Houston Astros acted like the American League version of the Reds. They needed lots of moves but instead they mostly said, “Nah, we’re good.” They’re two games above .500, and 2 1/2 games ahead in a weak division, but are relying on injured pitchers returning down the stretch to get them across the line. In fact, the only move chief Dana Brown made was moving one of their starters, Spencer Arrighetti, for outfielder Daulton Varsho.
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers aren’t far behind the Astros in the standings, but seem stuck in no-man’s land generally. They reportedly wanted to sell by moving expensive oldsters Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Corey Seager, but either were blocked by no-trade clauses or huge salaries. They can still win the AL West despite being losers at the deadline. Such is life in Manfred’s MLB!
Kansas City Royals
Jul 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Nick Loftin (12) is doused with water after hitting a walk off bunt during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images A year ago, the Kansas City Royals should have traded right-hander Seth Lugo amid the team floundering at the deadline. This season, it was Michael Wacha’s turn to inexplicably not be moved as the team sits 21 games under .500. The Royals are wasting Bobby Witt’s prime, a lot like the Angels did with Mike Trout.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks added Lars Nootbaar, which was fine, but they also watched the San Diego Padres pick up starters Casey Mize and Robbie Ray just before the buzzer. The D-backs are seven games over .500 but have a narrow cushion in the NL Wild Card race, with the Padres now rearmed and coming for their spot.
