MLB Trade Rumors: Cincinnati Reds' Deadline Needs

As the trade deadline draws near, here are a few thoughts on what the Reds need.

A true leadoff hitter who can cause some havoc on the basepaths, a power threat as insurance & protection for the middle of the lineup, and lastly, some middle relief pitching.

The middle relief pitching could be already shored up, but only if a few things fall into place.

Chapman needs to get his control problems taken care of, and if he does, he could be a great middle relief guy and spot starter. It could be a good way to ease him into the big leagues and prepare him for a possible rotation spot next year. Of course, it could also blow up and he could hurt more than help.

The addition of Jason Isringhausen and Russ Springer could turn out very nicely. I have a better feeling about Isringhausen than I do Springer, but only time will tell.

I don’t see any clearly better alternatives out there in middle relief.

I do see a solid leadoff guy though.

I went looking through the list of possible free agents at the end of the season and noticed Scott Podsednik. There is a club option and a buyout clause, but I have to think the Reds could work something out for the Royals left fielder/center fielder. He’s quietly having a really good year and would fit in very nicely between Gomes and Bruce in the Reds' outfield.

I don’t see a realistic option for power protection in the middle of the lineup, but the addition of Podsednik would take care of this in an indirect way. Hopefully, Dusty would be smart enough to bat him leadoff, put Phillips second, and throw Cabrera eighth, where he obviously belongs.

I think this batting order would be great: Podsednik, Phillips, Votto, Rolen, Gomes, Bruce, Hanigan, SS, P. You can take the fourth through sixth batters and mix them up, but what an improvement a real leadoff hitter could make…