The Cincinnati Reds have a strong pitching staff but struggle with hitting at the big league level. Their rotation is led by Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer, with Andrew Abbott and Nick Martinez rounding out the group. They also have promising pitchers like Carson Spiers, Chase Petty, and Chase Burns close to making their MLB debut, and Rhett Lowder is expected to return from injury soon. Given this depth, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Reds traded their only expiring contract in the rotation—Martinez. ESPN’s David Schoenfield recently predicted that Martinez could be traded, pointing out that while he’s a useful swingman, his $21 million salary is a steep price for a pitcher who isn’t guaranteed a spot in a playoff rotation.
The Los Angeles Dodgers could be the perfect fit for Martinez. Despite their deep starting rotation, the Dodgers are dealing with several injuries and could benefit from a reliable right-hander like Martinez, who could also serve as a bullpen option.
In exchange, the Reds could target an impact outfield prospect like James Outman or Dalton Rushing. Adding either of these players would be a significant boost to the Reds’ outfield, which lacks major league talent.
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