Taylor Ward was one of the most prominent names on the trade market as a rental outfielder with a strong pedigree and power-hitting profile. The Cincinnati Reds were often mentioned as one of the most obvious suitors for his services. Then, the Baltimore Orioles came in and messed everything up, acquiring Ward for former top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez.
Ignoring for a moment the hilarious overpay that the Orioles executed to bring in yet another veteran, right-handed hitting outfielder -- one year after handing Tyler O'Neil a three-year, $49.5 million contract -- it should be mentioned that the Reds just lost an obvious trade target for their outfield and power-hitting needs, shrinking an already-thin market considerably.