Clock ticking on MLB trade deadline as Cincinnati Reds open series vs. Tampa Bay Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Nobody knows better than the Cincinnati Reds what the calendar says and what’s at stake as they finish a three-city road trip against the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend.

“It’s no secret, it’s winning time,” said first baseman Spencer Steer as the Reds left Atlanta this week with a rain-abbreviated two-game sweep of the Braves that eased for the moment the stinging implications of getting swept last weekend in Washington.

The clock will have ticked inside 96 hours remaining before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline when the Reds and Rays open their series Friday night — the Reds expected to have leadoff man TJ Friedl back in the lineup from a hamstring injury, the Rays already in full-blown sell mode after having traded postseason hero Randy Arozarena to the Mariners overnight.

That trade comes a few weeks after they traded starter Aaron Civale to the Brewers and reliever Phil Maton to the Mets for a prospect and cash, respectively. And Saturday's scheduled starter for the Rays, Zack Littell – who's been in their rotation all season – might not last long enough in a Rays uniform to make that start.

Can the Reds pile on and kick the Rays while their clubhouse is down? That's the task at hand for a visiting team desperate for the kind of weekend that will convince the front office to at least keep the rotation and lineup intact through Tuesday.

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It might be their last chance to make that long-awaited statement.

The Reds entered Friday 4 1/2 games out of playoff position with a losing record, one of at least seven teams in a middling scrum vying for the last wild-card position in the National League.

With at least two relievers expected back from injuries in the next few weeks, team officials are expected to deal from their bullpen depth and trade at least one of their pending free agents even if their focus is adding help for this team now.

But a poor showing this weekend could mean moving more significant pieces with the focus shifting to next year and beyond.

“The less you think about it, the better it’s going to be. And I’ve been traded. It’s happened to me (in 2022),” said veteran starter Frankie Montas, whose one-year contract makes him a candidate for it to happen again if they don’t fare well this weekend.

“My job is to try to go out there and pitch, because whatever move they make, we’ve got to be OK with it,” he added. “I think all the guys are aware of that.”

Montas, who struggled in a 9-4 win over the Braves Wednesday, isn't scheduled this weekend. The Reds have left-hander Nick Lodolo (8-3, 3.51 ERA) starting Friday against Rays right-hander Shane Baz (0-1, 3.95).

Lefty Andrew Abbott (9-6, 3.15 ERA) and All-Star right-hander Hunter Greene (7-4, 3.14 ERA) start the next two games for the Reds.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that it’s time to win some ballgames and try to get hot here and go on a little bit of a streak,” Steer said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds get last chance to influence trade deadline decisions