This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here . And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- When the Reds made three acquisitions ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline, there was some initial head-scratching.

Why didn't Cincinnati get the big-name bat or the bullpen help it needed for the stretch drive? Why didn't it get more dynamic players?

President of baseball operations Nick Krall zagged when everyone expected the Reds to zig when they boosted their defense at third base by acquiring Ke'Bryan Hayes (Pirates), added a veteran starting pitcher in Zack Littell (Rays) and got a less-heralded slugger in Miguel Andujar (A's).

How have the deals worked out so far? Pretty good.

Let's take a look.

Hay

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