While the Cincinnati Reds were making playoff runs in 2010, 2013, and 2014, they were also collecting late round draft picks. It is tough enough for a smaller market team to compete every year. That becomes even worse when they are drafting late in the rounds.
The 2011 first round pick for the Cincinnati Reds was Robert Stephenson. Stephenson is in line for a shot at the rotation. That is a good return for a later pick in round one.
In 2014 the Reds had two first round picks which they used on Nick Howard and Alex Blandino.