Krall talks Reds' Deadline approach as a buyer

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.

LOS ANGELES -- What a difference a year makes. The soon-approaching Trade Deadline highlights the stark contrast of where the Reds were in 2022 compared to where they are positioned in 2023.

Last year at this time, the Reds were big sellers on their way to a 100-loss season. The moves followed the initial roster teardown that began in Spring Training. Before the Deadline, Cincinnati traded rotation ace Luis Castillo along with Tyler Mahle, Tommy Pham, Brandon Drury and Tyler Naquin -- all in exchange for prospects.

Now, general manager Nick Krall is a buyer looking to make upgrades for a pennant race.

"It's much more enjoyable to win than it is to lose, right?" Krall said of his team's improved status on Friday afternoon.

The summer of '22 was a grim one leading up to the Deadline, as many veteran players knew their departures were inevitable. Rumors were rampant just about daily. One front office person told me he could tell players dreaded his walking into the clubhouse

"When you're trading a player, it's not easy," Krall said. "It was a tough thing to talk to players and say, 'Hey, we're moving on from you' and this is all they've known. I think people forget this is a business about people and I know that people are the product. I want to put myself in their shoes because that's not an easy transition. I can only imagine what it's like to be traded. You have to be sensitive to that, though."

The 2023 Trade Deadline is at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, when the Reds are playing a series vs. the Cubs at Chicago. The Reds' needs still include rotation and bullpen help.

At the moment, the asking prices are high. The White Sox have already moved two pitchers in Lucas Giolito (Angels) and Lance Lynn (Dodgers). The return demands were too high for Cincinnati. The club is less likely to part with coveted prospects to get a rental player. That would change if a player has club control beyond the next two months.

"For us, it's really hard to give up players that we feel are going to be here long term when you're trying to build a sustainable roster," Krall said.

The pending returns of injured players is also baked into the equation. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo could both be back by the end of August. Relievers Tejay Antone, Vladimir Gutierrez and Casey Legumina are all on rehab assignments. All could be a boost to the club down the stretch.

"I don't think we need to sit, though," Krall said. "If there's something we can do, I want to make sure we're leaving no stone unturned, but at the same time … I want to make sure that we're building this for sustainability, not just for a one-year playoff run."