After keeping key pieces, last-place A's and Reds open set

Two last-place teams who were relatively quiet at Monday's trade deadline meet Tuesday as the Athletics visit the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game interleague series.

Despite anticipation that both teams would aggressively sell their assets, Monday passed with minimal roster disruption. Instead of the expected fire sales, both front offices largely stood pat, keeping their most valuable chips in place.

The Reds entered the final hours with seven impending free agents, putting them in prime position to dismantle. Analysts expected players like catcher Tyler Stephenson, pitcher Brady Singer and infielder Eugenio Suarez to headline departures. However, the actual return yielded only minor moves. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe was sent to the Cleveland Guardians for 19-year-old minor-league pitching prospect Alejandro Rivera and infielder Juan Brito.

Caleb Ferguson was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals for $250,000 in international bonus space. The rest of Cincinnati's high-value core remained completely untouched. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall defended the conservative approach, emphasizing the value of the team's youth.

"I think we have a lot of talent on this club," Krall said. "We have a really good young core still."

"I haven't given it much thought," Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said. "Whatever. I know the guys are working it, but it's not my area and I don't want it to be."

Rather than changing the clubhouse through trades, Cincinnati will look inward. Krall announced that 22-year-old outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez -- the Reds' No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- will join the active roster to debut Tuesday against the Athletics. Both teams will play out the final two months with the rosters they already built.

The Athletics also didn't do much, with outfielder Colby Thomas going to Philadelphia for right-handed reliever Seth Johnson in their only trade at the deadline.

The Athletics approached the date with a similar lack of blockbuster activity, keeping their core youthful pieces intact while continuing a developmental season.

"It's a stressful time for everyone in that clubhouse," Francona added. "You see the names flying around, and guys start wondering about their families and where they'll be living tomorrow. Now that it's behind us, we can focus purely on playing baseball and winning series."

"Our plan has always been about growing this group together," Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. "We have high belief in the young men we have in this room, and having the deadline pass means we can block out the noise and lock in for the final two months."

Right-hander J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.46 ERA) takes the mound for the A's after shaking off a recent finger injury.

Cincinnati counters with Singer (5-10, 4.35). Despite his losing record, the right-hander has consistently eaten valuable innings for the rotation all summer.

Singer was heavily targeted in trade deadline speculation due to his contract status, but he remains a centerpiece of the Reds' immediate plans. With Chase Burns approaching an innings limit in the second half and the unknown availability of Brandon Williamson, Singer -- playing on a one-year, $12.75 million contract -- became a pitcher the Reds chose to keep on their roster.

--Field Level Media