As the summer of 2025 approaches, the Cincinnati Reds find themselves at a pivotal moment. Years of rebuilding and rapid promotions of top prospects have left the team with a surplus of young infielders but a pitching staff that still lacks the frontline arms needed to truly compete in the NL Central.
To take the next step and balance their roster, the Reds need to make a significant move ahead of the trade deadline. The player they should consider moving: Noelvi Marte.
While Marte is a talented young infielder with clear upside, he represents a piece the Reds can afford to part with given their depth in the infield. Trading Marte could bring back the high-impact pitching they need — the kind of arm that could shift their trajectory from potential to postseason.
If Cincinnati wants to capitalize on its competitive window, moving a player like Marte may be the bold, necessary step to do so.
The Case for Trading Marte
Noelvi Marte’s path with the Reds has been anything but straightforward. Acquired as the key return in the Luis Castillo trade, he arrived in Cincinnati with big expectations—and, for a time, he lived up to them. In a brief but promising 2023 stint, Marte slashed an impressive .316/.366/.456, flashing the power and speed that once made him a top-100 prospect.
But that momentum came to a halt in 2024 following a PED suspension. When he returned, Marte struggled to regain form, batting just .210/.248/.301 with an alarming 31% strikeout rate and a walk rate under 4%. Those numbers raised real questions about his development and long-term role.
The Reds sent Marte to Triple-A to start 2025 after a rough spring, but he’s caught fire since being recalled. Over his first 13 games back, he’s hitting .370/.431/.696 with three home runs and 16 RBIs—an eye-opening resurgence that has boosted his trade value at just the right time.
However, the Reds’ infield is overcrowded. Elly De La Cruz is locked in at shortstop, Matt McLain and Gavin Lux are competing at second, and Jeimer Candelario occupies third. Top prospects Cam Collier and Sal Stewart are on the rise as well. With the team also investing in veteran infield depth, Marte’s future role is increasingly unclear.
Given the Reds’ emerging contention window and their pressing needs—particularly in the outfield and starting rotation—now is the ideal moment to deal Marte. His age (23), upside, and years of team control will attract interest from clubs looking to acquire young talent. Trading him now could net Cincinnati a controllable frontline starter, a power-hitting outfielder, or high-ceiling prospects to strengthen the upper minors.
Keeping Marte and bouncing him between Triple-A and MLB risks stalling his development and depleting his value again. With the organization’s infield pipeline overflowing and contention within reach, this is the moment for the Reds to make a bold move. Trading Noelvi Marte could be the key to unlocking the next level for this roster.
The Trade Proposal
Considering Marte’s age, potential, and recent performance, the Reds should look to trade with a team that has a clear need at third base or shortstop and is open to giving up either a proven major leaguer or a group of top prospects. A sensible trade partner could be the Miami Marlins, who are in serious need of infield support and boast a wealth of young pitching talent.
Cincinnati Reds receive:
Given Marte’s age, ceiling, and recent performance, the Reds would be wise to engage a club in need of help on the left side of the infield—ideally one willing to deal either an established major leaguer or a package of high-upside prospects. The Miami Marlins make sense as a potential partner, given their infield deficiencies and surplus of young arms. A return package could center around MLB-ready right-hander Max Meyer, a former top-10 pick, along with switch-hitting corner infielder Jacob Berry—one of Miami’s top prospects—and versatile utility man Xavier Edwards, who offers immediate defensive flexibility across the diamond.
Miami Marlines receive:
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For the Reds, acquiring Max Meyer would provide a high-upside, cost-controlled starter capable of stepping into the rotation immediately—an important need with veterans like Frankie Montas nearing free agency. Jacob Berry, a switch-hitter with power and positional flexibility, fits Cincinnati’s preference for athletic, versatile players, even if he isn’t a flawless prospect. Xavier Edwards adds valuable speed and defensive utility, offering coverage at multiple positions, including the outfield.
From the Marlins’ perspective, Noelvi Marte becomes an everyday option at either third base or shortstop, addressing their pressing infield need with a young, controllable player who brings the kind of offensive ceiling their lineup sorely lacks. Marte’s age and potential align well with Miami’s long-term competitive window.
Despite moving Marte, the Reds’ farm system remains one of the strongest in baseball. With pitchers like Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Chase Petty emerging, and infielders such as Cam Collier, Sal Stewart, and Edwin Arroyo close to MLB-ready, Cincinnati has the depth to make this move. Trading Marte could open a clearer path for Collier or Stewart, both of whom may offer more defensively at third base.
This trade would be a strategic use of the Reds’ organizational surplus. The front office’s drafting and development efforts have positioned the club to deal from strength, particularly in the infield, to shore up other needs.
Marte’s journey in Cincinnati reflects the modern reality of roster management: balancing upside with depth, and planning for sustainable contention. With his value rebounding and an infield logjam looming, moving Marte ahead of the 2025 deadline could yield an impactful return and help fortify the Reds’ push for postseason relevance.
Waiting too long could reduce that return. Making a proactive move now is bold—but it’s the kind of bold that winning teams make.
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