What will the Reds do at the Trade Deadline?

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.

PHILADELPHIA -- In less than a month, the July 31 Trade Deadline will be here. With the Reds in the midst of some momentum and currently contending for a National League postseason spot, it's looking less likely that they will be in selling mode.

But the team's performance over the next 25 days will ultimately dictate how the club responds.

“You’d always like to buy, no matter where you are. That’s the goal," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "Let’s see how we play over the next couple of weeks and where we are.”

Cincinnati (46-43) is currently in fourth place in the NL Central and seven games behind the first-place Cubs entering Sunday. But the Reds are only 1 1/2 games back in the race for the third and final NL Wild Card spot.

Bogged down with injuries throughout the early months of the season, the Reds are getting their health back at the right time. Left fielder Austin Hays returned on June 27 from his third stint on the injured list. Third baseman Noelvi Marte returned Friday after missing 52 games with a left oblique strain. And reliever Graham Ashcraft also returned Friday from a right groin strain. Right fielder Jake Fraley could be back soon from a right shoulder injury.

From the rotation, Hunter Greene could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday with Triple-A Louisville. Carson Spiers is already on a rehab assignment as well.

“It’s been really good to get our own players back and let’s see where we’re at once those guys are back and where we go," Krall said.

Meanwhile, the Reds are 16-10 since June 5 and have won series against top teams such as the Yankees, Tigers and Padres.

Will those kinds of results spur additional help?

“It’s depending on who is playing well and not playing well, who is injured or not injured, where you are record-wise," Krall said "You’re always evaluating where you are and what you have.”

The Reds have already shown an aggressive mentality towards their roster as the season has moved along. They traded underperforming former All-Star reliever Alexis Díaz to the Dodgers in May and released corner infielder Jeimer Candelario despite owing around $22.5 million on the remaining two seasons of his three-year, $45 million contract.

And despite having only 13 pro starts, Cincinnati promoted its No. 1 prospect and 2024's second overall Draft pick, starting pitcher Chase Burns.

The Reds' bullpen ranks around the middle in the Majors in ERA and innings pitched. Their right fielders are near the bottom in OPS. Those could be two areas that make sense for the club to address around the Trade Deadline.

With the current playoff system, more than 20 teams have legitimate playoff hopes. That means fewer selling clubs looking for prospects.

“There’s a lot of teams in it right now. There are a lot of teams trying to figure out where they are," Krall said. "I think you’re just trying to feel your way through it right now, and having conversations with other teams.”

Reds manager Terry Francona, who is in his first season with Cincinnati, has been through a lot of Trade Deadlines during his career.

"I haven't been through it here yet, but I see the communication we have every day," Francona said. "I know they're trying to always help us. I get that and love that and respect it. I don't think I ever need to sit here and say, 'We need this or we need that,' because that directly says that somebody out there [isn't performing.]

"When you get to the Deadline, things happen. That's a month away. A lot can happen in a month so that's why [it's] let's just try to win today. That's a way easier way to go about it."