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ST. PETERSBURG -- Ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, Major League Baseball's trade market has been percolating with deals in recent days, with the expectation of more to come.

For the Reds, their intentions remain in flux, and a tad mysterious. Will they buy? Will they sell? Will they do a little of both?

• Check out the latest MLB trade rumors

But Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Rays certainly made selling seem more possible. The Reds are 50-54 entering Sunday and five games behind the Mets (55-49) for the third and final National League Wild Card spot, with four clubs between them.

The good news is following the Rays series, each of Cincinnati’s next 10 games come against fellow sub-.500 teams in the Cubs, Giants and Marlins. If the Reds stay in the race, they can make up more ground.

Last week in Atlanta, general manager Brad Meador noted that Cincinnati was looking at potential moves that address both its short- and long-term futures.

Short term, the Reds could use offensive help at both corner-infield spots, and perhaps most of all, at first base. Although Spencer Steer has played well overall, especially defensively, Cincinnati's first basemen have a collective .635 OPS -- lowest in the National League and fourth worst in MLB. Steer could shift back to left field if the Reds bring in a first baseman.

At third base, rookie Noelvi Marte has struggled both at the plate and defensively. Jeimer Candelario was limited by tendinitis in his right knee and has mostly served as a designated hitter in recent weeks.

Who could help the Reds? Let's take a look at some possibilities.

Short term

Josh Bell, 1B, Marlins
A veteran switch-hitting slugger, Bell was dealt from the Guardians to the Marlins at last year's Trade Deadline, and went on to hit 11 home runs in 53 games to Miami get into the postseason. Bell, who has approximately $6 million remaining on the $16.5 million he's making this season, is a free agent this offseason.

Mark Canha, 1B, Tigers
In the final season of his three-year, $36 million deal, Canha's .233 average and .694 OPS are down from his 2023 production for the Brewers, for whom he batted .287 with an .800 OPS.

Justin Turner, 1B/3B/DH, Blue Jays
Turner is 39 and not very mobile defensively, but he has extensive postseason experience and he’s considered a clubhouse leader. He's hitting .251 with six homers in 88 games for the Blue Jays this season on his one-year, $13 million deal after hitting 23 homers and 96 RBIs for Boston in 2023.

This year and beyond

Brent Rooker, OF/DH, A's
He’s not an infielder, but Rooker’s production would greatly improve the Reds' lineup. He has 25 home runs and a .954 OPS with Oakland this season. That will make demand high, and a prospective return steep.

Brett Baty, 3B, Mets
A first-round pick in 2019, Baty is under club control for four more years.

LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B/OF, Giants
Wade has a .771 career OPS and is under club control through 2025, but he has been banged up by injuries in recent seasons.

Who could be available from the Reds?

If they move players from the big league roster, it would likely be only players on shorter-term deals. Here are some of those names:

Frankie Montas, SP
Signed through 2024, $20 million mutual option for 2025.

Lucas Sims, RP
Free agent after this season.

Buck Farmer, RP
Free agent after this season.

Justin Wilson, RP
Free agent after this season.

Nick Martinez, RP
Signed through 2025, but he can opt out after this season.

Austin Slater, OF
Free agent after this season (acquired from the Giants on July 7).

Jonathan India, 2B
Signed through 2025 and under club control through ‘26. Unlike the others, moving India would mean the club has decided to look to the future.