The second half of the season has kicked off with purpose, and the Cincinnati Reds are surging at just the right time. With a 52–47 record, and fresh off a strong series against the Mets, the Reds are within striking distance of their first postseason berth since 2020. But the message inside the clubhouse is clear: good won’t be good enough.
Now led by veteran manager Terry Francona, who took over in October 2024, Cincinnati is making bold moves ahead of the trade deadline. Francona, known for his postseason pedigree and calm leadership, has reportedly pushed for a bullpen overhaul—viewing it as the key to unlocking the Reds’ full potential this fall.
Here are the five relievers Cincinnati is actively targeting to reinforce a bullpen that’s good—but not yet championship-ready.
Phil Maton – The Specialist Francona Trusts in Pressure Moments
Currently anchoring the Cardinals’ bullpen, Phil Maton has posted a 2.55 ERA in 35 1/3 innings, with some of the best contact-limiting metrics in the game. He’s allowed just a .192 xBA, sits in the 95th percentile in whiff rate, and is consistently effective in high-leverage one-inning situations.
Maton is on a one-year, $2 million contract and will hit free agency after 2025. His affordability and dominance make him a perfect candidate to bridge the gap between Cincinnati’s middle innings and the closer role. Francona reportedly views him as a key 8th-inning piece for postseason matchups.
Shelby Miller – The Reds’ Dream Deadline Prize
Shelby Miller, pitching for Arizona, is one of the hottest bullpen names in baseball. His 1.98 ERA over 36 1/3 innings is impressive, but what stands out more is his elite control and consistency: WHIPs of 0.90, 0.97, and 0.96 over the past three seasons.
His chase rate (35.8%), strikeout rate (28.0%), and strong barrel suppression make him a dream addition to any contending bullpen. Cincinnati knows he won’t come cheap, but with Francona’s influence and the team’s win-now mindset, Miller is firmly on their radar.
He’s on a one-year, $1 million deal and would be a true rental—with massive upside in October.
Jake Bird – The Quiet Workhorse Who Can Handle October Fire
Though his 4.09 ERA might not turn heads, Jake Bird of the Rockies is quietly one of the most versatile and effective middle relievers available. He’s made 12 multi-inning appearances this year and owns a 3.51 xERA, despite pitching half his games at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Bird limits hard contact, racks up strikeouts (27.1 K%), and—crucially—induces ground balls at a 48.2% clip, which is essential in Cincinnati’s homer-prone ballpark. He’s under team control through 2028, and his value in a long playoff series could prove enormous.
Francona has always valued pitchers who can stretch out innings without crumbling—and Bird fits that mold to a tee.
Steven Matz – The Veteran Southpaw with a Playoff Pedigree
Now in his 10th MLB season, Steven Matz has embraced a hybrid long-relief role for the Cardinals—and it’s paying off. In 25 appearances (only two starts) this season, he’s logged 51 innings with a 3.35 ERA, proving he can be effective out of the pen or in emergency starts.
The 34-year-old lefty is in the final year of a 4-year, $44 million deal. With free agency coming after 2025, he’s viewed as a low-risk veteran rental. Francona, who has always leaned on experienced arms during postseason runs, reportedly sees Matz as a stabilizing force who can absorb innings and handle pressure in key October moments.
Kyle Finnegan – A Gamble That Could Pay Off Big
Kyle Finnegan is having a shaky 2025 campaign with a 4.37 ERA in 35 innings for the Nationals. But Cincinnati’s front office believes there’s a chance for a bounce-back. Finnegan’s xERA (3.63) and previous season success (3.76 ERA in 2023, 3.68 in 2024) suggest he’s better than he’s looked.
His strikeout and whiff numbers are down, but he still generates ground balls (46.2%) and has shown flashes of the form that once made him a lockdown setup man.
With a $6 million salary and free agency on the horizon, Finnegan is the riskiest of the five—but he could be a valuable addition if Francona and the coaching staff can unlock his best.
Francona’s Fingerprints All Over the Reds’ New Identity
When the Reds hired Terry Francona in late 2024, they weren’t just looking for leadership—they were signaling a new era. A two-time World Series champion with over 2,000 career wins (a milestone he reached this July), Francona’s presence has changed the entire tone in Cincinnati.
He’s not here to rebuild. He’s here to win now—and that urgency is showing as the front office aggressively pursues elite bullpen help.
With the trade deadline looming and the Reds sitting within reach of a playoff spot, these moves could define the season—and possibly the next chapter in Reds history.
