Cards approach vs. Reds approach

[AllTheWayHome]

Interesting the difference in trade deadline approaches between Cards and Reds. Cards at .500 and Reds 4 games over. Both small market teams. Both with young lineups. Cards content to clear the roster of pending free-agent relievers, but otherwise do nothing to plug holes and maximize chances of making the playoffs this year. Reds trading from minor league stash to plug holes in roster in an attempt to make the playoffs this year, including taking on additional salary.

From mlbtraderumors:

Cincinnati Reds
Acquired Miguel Andujar from Athletics for Kenya Huggins
Acquired Zack Littell from Rays, gave up Brian Van Belle and Adam Serwinowski
Acquired Ke’Bryan Hayes from Pirates for Taylor Rogers and Sammy Stafura

St. Louis Cardinals
Acquired Mason Molina and Skylar Hales from Rangers for Phil Maton
Acquired Blaze Jordan from Red Sox for Steven Matz
Acquired Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt from Mets for Ryan Helsley
Acquired cash considerations or a player to be named later from Braves for Erick Fedde and cash

Why the difference in outlook between these two teams?

[Futuregm2]

Interesting the difference in trade deadline approaches between Cards and Reds. Cards at .500 and Reds 4 games over. Both small market teams. Both with young lineups. Cards content to clear the roster of pending free-agent relievers, but otherwise do nothing to plug holes and maximize chances of making the playoffs this year. Reds trading from minor league stash to plug holes in roster in an attempt to make the playoffs this year, including taking on additional salary.

From mlbtraderumors:

Cincinnati Reds
Acquired Miguel Andujar from Athletics for Kenya Huggins
Acquired Zack Littell from Rays, gave up Brian Van Belle and Adam Serwinowski
Acquired Ke’Bryan Hayes from Pirates for Taylor Rogers and Sammy Stafura

St. Louis Cardinals
Acquired Mason Molina and Skylar Hales from Rangers for Phil Maton
Acquired Blaze Jordan from Red Sox for Steven Matz
Acquired Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt from Mets for Ryan Helsley
Acquired cash considerations or a player to be named later from Braves for Erick Fedde and cash

Why the difference in outlook between these two teams?

July:
St. Louis: 8-16
Cincinnati: 13-12

June
St. Louis: 14-14
Cincinnati: 15-11

St. Louis really didn’t do much of a selloff though other than 3 relievers. Not like Reds made a bunch of moves either though. And they have a rotation that IF they made the playoffs and got Greene healthy by then could be a very tough one to beat.

[3dender]

In addition to Future's factors, Reds have only been to postseason once in the last 12 years... they have more hunger for it as an org.

But they didn't exactly mortgage the future here either. Hayes is a long-term asset (itself a puzzling deal since he doesn't appear to be even a league average hitter) and they only gave up their #10 prospect for Littell.

[scoutyjones2]

Interesting the difference in trade deadline approaches between Cards and Reds. Cards at .500 and Reds 4 games over. Both small market teams. Both with young lineups. Cards content to clear the roster of pending free-agent relievers, but otherwise do nothing to plug holes and maximize chances of making the playoffs this year. Reds trading from minor league stash to plug holes in roster in an attempt to make the playoffs this year, including taking on additional salary.

From mlbtraderumors:

Cincinnati Reds
Acquired Miguel Andujar from Athletics for Kenya Huggins
Acquired Zack Littell from Rays, gave up Brian Van Belle and Adam Serwinowski
Acquired Ke’Bryan Hayes from Pirates for Taylor Rogers and Sammy Stafura

St. Louis Cardinals
Acquired Mason Molina and Skylar Hales from Rangers for Phil Maton
Acquired Blaze Jordan from Red Sox for Steven Matz
Acquired Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt from Mets for Ryan Helsley
Acquired cash considerations or a player to be named later from Braves for Erick Fedde and cash

Why the difference in outlook between these two teams?

One has talent and hasn't been relevant in forever. The other is figuring out what they have while also getting a regime changed.

[woofy25]

The answer is Terry Francona. He didn't take the job to be a seller at the deadline if still alive for a playoff berth. I'm sure that was the deal going in. TF doesn't have a lot Managerial years left to worry about a rebuild or a reset or a re-anything.

[RunSup]

Ther Reds are going after fool's gold in 2025. They won't catch the Brewers, Cubs, or Padres.

They do have good young pitching and are players in 2026