Reds Near Diaz Trade to Dodgers Amid Deadline Uncertainty

The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly nearing a trade that would send former All-Star closer Alexis Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Mike Villani, following Diaz's struggles with injuries and command this season. The Reds remain around a .500 record as the MLB trade deadline approaches, sparking internal debate over whether to buy or sell at the deadline. The front office maintains that the team's focus is on winning, with final decisions on trades expected later in the season. With injuries depleting the starting rotation, the anticipated debut of top pitching prospect Chase Burns has become increasingly significant. Management and players stress the urgency to improve performance to avoid a possible selloff. The organization continues to weigh immediate competitiveness against long-term roster building.