irontontribune
Will Reds play trading game 2nd half of season? Published 12:07 am Tuesday, July 14, 2026 What are the Cincinnati Reds plans heading into the second half of the season and the trading deadline continuing to draw nearer? Well, the Reds passed on right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Saturday and opted for Alabamas Justin Lebron.
No.
Hes no relation.
Thats his last name.
Flukey led Coastal Carolina to the College World Series last year, but a stress fracture in his ribs derailed most of his season this year.
The Chanticleers ace only pitched 21 innings and was 0-2.
But last season he was 7-2 with a 3.09 earned run average.
With a mid-to-upper fastball in the 90s, Flukey also has an excellent curveball and slider.
He averaged nearly 12 strikeouts per nine innings.
And listen to this fact Reds pitchers: He throws strikes.
Although Flukey looked like a smart pick, they opted for Lebron, a power-hitting player with excellent speed.
He had 16 home runs in 61 games, which would be around 48 over a full MLB season.
He also stole 42 bases in 43 attempts.
And he plays the right position the Reds were looking for: shortstop.
Yep, the Reds added the 4,256th shortstop to their organization.
At least it seems like the Reds have drafted as many shortstops as Pete Rose had career hits.
Power? Need that.
Speed? Who doesnt want that.
And what about defense? Uh-oh.
And contact? Hes a Reds prospect.
Naturally, he chases bad pitches.
The Reds have decisions to make about the near and distant future.
Do we keep the young talent and let it mature and develop, or do we have another fire sale and start all over.
Its been, what, three years since the last rebuild? As Rafiki said to Simba in The Lion King, It is time.
The Reds fan base is about to let out another loud groan.
The Reds figure Elly De La Cruz will hit free agency in a few years.
Elly sees the Yankees pinstripes and he hears the agent Scott Boras a.k.a.
Satan in the eyes of MLB owners and fans stacking the money for the new contract.
Cincinnati always values shortstops as the best athlete on the team.
De La Cruz certainly fits that role with the Reds.
But with so many shortstops and thinking the only way Lebron can win a Gold Glove is in a high stakes poker game, he could be shifted to the outfield since hes 6-foot-3.
Blake Dunn is coming into his own in the outfield while T.J.
Friedl is struggling.
J.J.
Bleday has been a pleasant surprise, but can he sustain what hes doing? Noelvi Marte shows signs of being a good hitter and defensive outfielder, but he still remains inconsistent.
Spencer Steer is the most versatile player on the roster and hes solid defensively at any position, especially first base.
However, there are whispers that Steer could be traded since he has the most upside in value.
Matt McLain has struggled offensively ever since his injury wiped out his entire season two years ago.
KeBryan Hayes has the great glove, but his bat is like a day before a football game practice: No contact.
Brady Singer is probably the top pitching prospect for a trade.
Rumors of trading Andrew Abbott were quickly shot down by the front office.
The Reds couldnt be that stupid to trade Abbott.
Could they? There are probably several pitchers which could be a trade throw-in.
Nick Lodolo is back on the injured list as he continues to have problems with blisters.
Its called pickle juice, Nick.
Just ask Nolan Ryan.
He had the same problem early in his career.
Try it while youre recovering.
In the end, its hard to figure out what the Reds will do, but the feeling in the atmosphere around Great American Ball Park is that there are trade winds a-coming.
The big question is who will go? I have some guesses, but if given the job Id probably move general manager Nick Krall.
But only if I can get a shortstop in return.
* * * Jim Walker is the retired sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.