This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CINCINNATI — When the Reds made three acquisitions ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline, there was some initial head-scratching.
Why didn’t Cincinnati get the big-name bat or the bullpen help it needed for the stretch drive? Why didn’t it get more dynamic players?
President of baseball operations Nick Krall zagged when everyone expected the Reds to zig when they boosted their defense at third base by acquiring Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pirates), added a veteran starting pitcher in Zack Littell (Rays) and got a less-heralded slugger in Miguel Andujar (A’s).
How have the deals worked out so far? Pretty good.
Hayes
Acquired for: LHP Taylor Rogers, SS prospect Sammy Stafura and cash
Of the three moves, Reds fans and some in baseball circles didn’t understand the Hayes transaction the most because he had struggled mightily as a hitter throughout 2024-25. But it’s been arguably the deal that’s worked out the best for the club to this point.
“I think Hayes has solidified us at third base like nobody’s business. And he’s swung the bat plenty good enough. That’s been terrific,” manager Terry Francona said.
In 30 games entering Wednesday, Hayes is batting .280/.345/.450 with three home runs, 11 RBIs and a 0.7 bWAR for Cincinnati. He hit two homers in 100 games for Pittsburgh this season and had a much-lower slugging percentage of .290.
Save for a costly error in his first game for the Reds, on July 31 — a game in which he also hit a homer — Hayes has been great at manning third base, which enabled the Reds to move Noelvi Marte from third to right field, where he’s become successful.
The change of scenery seems to have benefited Hayes, who is signed through 2029.
“It’s been great,” Hayes said. “Coming over here, I didn’t really know what to expect. I kind of knew some of the guys, some of the coaches just from playing in the division. For me, I just wanted to fit in any way I can be and just help us win games. From Day 1, everyone made it pretty easy for me coming over here — players, staff, everyone. One of the biggest things is how supportive everyone is of everyone.”
Littell
Acquired for: LHP prospect Adam Serwinowski and Minor League RHP Brian Van Belle
In five starts since coming over from Tampa Bay entering Wednesday, Littell is 1-0 with a 3.90 ERA. He’s had three quality starts, including two that went seven innings. The right-hander also had two starts in which he did not walk a batter.
“Zack Littell has done a pretty damn good job,” Francona said. “I think quietly, you look up at his [ERA]. In today’s game, because it’s not so flashy where he’s not striking a ton of people out, it still can work really well.”
By adding Littell, the Reds were able to move the versatile Nick Martinez to the bullpen. Although Martinez did have to go back to the rotation for a while when Nick Lodolo went on the injured list, he is currently back in a reliever’s role, able to work in multiple situations.
Littell, who is a free agent after the season, is scheduled to start vs. the Blue Jays on Wednesday.
Andujar
Acquired for: RHP prospect Kenya Huggins
In 22 games since coming over from the A’s, Andujar is batting .364/.425/.591. His 178 wRC+ entering Wednesday makes him the most productive of all hitters with at least 70 plate appearances who changed teams at the Deadline. It is also good for ninth overall in baseball since Aug. 1.
The Reds specifically acquired the right-handed-hitting Andujar for his strength against left-handed pitchers, and he has delivered. Since the trade, he’s batting .308 with an .846 OPS against lefties, but he’s also handled himself well vs. righties, batting .400 with a 1.114 OPS.
Like Littell, Andujar becomes a free agent after the season ends.
The only thing that has slowed Andujar is a sore quadriceps, which has forced Francona to use him selectively more recently.
“Andujar came in swinging the bat probably better than anybody in the game,” Francona said. “We’ve had a hard time trying to figure out how to use him lately, just because of his quad. That has been a little bit of a challenge.”
Although the trades initially boosted the Reds in their efforts for a National League Wild Card spot, the team finished August with a losing record (12-15). They will need big contributions from these acquisitions – as well as the rest of the club — to have a shot at overtaking the Mets to make the postseason.
