Cincinnati, OH (PSF)- With the influx of prospects, the 2023 Cincinnati Reds have been fun to watch, but one thing has been hindering this team from becoming a real contender. With a team average ERA of 4.88, and the average starting pitching having an ERA of 4.13, Cincinnati needs to target some pitching help as the deadline approaches.

Even with their pitching struggles, this team has found ways to win, riding an eight-game winning streak, and finding themselves two games over .500. Cincinnati has been finding ways to pull off win after win, but eventually this steam will run out. The best way to fix this issue is to pull off trades as the deadline approaches to solidify this team as serious contenders for the first time since 2012.

Here are five potential trades for the 2023 Cincinnati Reds.

1: Aroldis Chapman

The “Cuban Missile” as he was known as during his time in Cincinnati early in his career has been having a great bounce back year. Before his Royals faced off against the Reds last week, Chapman told the media in Kansas City that he would love to come back and finish his career in Cincinnati.

Chapman is posting a 2.48 ERA so far this season, and would set up a nasty trio of himself, Lucas Sims, and Alexis Diaz in the Cincinnati bullpen. The Reds have a decent bullpen, however, relying on the same guys every night is going to get one of them injured. Chapman would be a great addition to help this team reach new heights and keep valuable guys healthy during the thick of the season.

The rebuilding Royals would likely want a prospect or two out of the Reds farm system to get this trade done. A combination of single A guys with medium to high upside like Sal Stewart, or Tyler Callihan should be enough to bring Chapman back to the Queen City.

2: Shane Bieber

Bieber has posted an ERA of 3.51 during his 2023 campaign for the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber has been a quality pitcher for the Guardians this year and would greatly improve the Reds rotation.

This type of trade would surely see at least one proven Major Leaguer like Nick Senzel, Jose Barerro, Stuart Fairchild, or Kevin Newman along with a couple of prospects. Cincinnati has a history of trading with their in-state rival, landing guys like Trevor Bauer and Will Benson in the past. If this trade were to go down, the Reds rotation would be filthy once everybody is healthy. With Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, and Shane Bieber, Cincinnati would surely be a team to watch out for come October.

3: Charlie Blackmon

The Colorado Rockies outfielder has a batting average of .265 this season and would fill the only position hole the Reds have. Adding another versatile outfielder to pair with Jake Fraley, and T.J. Friedl would give this lineup for power, and three strong outfielders.

The buying price for Blackmon shouldn’t be too steep. This type of trade is another one that could get done with guys like Senzel, Barerro, or Newman.

4: Kris Bryant

Bryant, another Rockies outfielder, provides similar qualities as Blackmon. Bryant is hitting .263 this season with 5 home runs, and 17 RBI’s. While neither one of these players has superstar numbers, they both would provide quality appearances for a team fighting for a championship.

Bryant is already familiar with Great American Ballpark, from his days with the Chicago Cubs, and has a similar price as Blackmon. These types of moves make sense for the Reds, as they attempt to clear one more spot for Christian Encarnacion Strand to make his debut.

5: Daniel Bard

Bard, yet another player in the Rockies organization has been having a bounce back year. Bard is posting an ERA of 0.83 coming out of the Rockies bullpen and offers another chance for the Reds to create a filthy trio in the later stages of the game.

Once again, Bard’s price shouldn’t be too steep, but would surely require a proven major leaguer, and a prospect or two from a loaded Reds farm system.

Cincinnati is in a unique position that they haven’t been seen in quite some time. A team filled with energy that will always be fighting until the last out of every game puts them in a position to compete for championships in the near future, once the few holes they have filled.

While there are many players around the league that fit the mold for this team, these five standout the most. Any of these five players provide immediate production and give this team a needed boost.

It is a fun time to be fan of the Redlegs.