The Cincinnati Reds should have a very busy trade deadline this season, and it was recently reported that the Reds will be “open for business” as Nick Krall pushes to trade players on expiring contracts, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.
Those players include starting pitcher Brady Singer, catcher Tyler Stephenson, left-handed relievers Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke, and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.
Advertisement
However, MLB.com recently listed every team’s most valuable trade chip. For the Reds, it mentioned starting pitcher Hunter Greene, who has been a topic of conversation as a potential trade option for multiple seasons.
Greene is a trade option for two reasons: his top-of-the-league talent and his team-friendly contract, which includes multiple years of control after this season. While there have not been many reports that the Reds are interested in dealing Greene, the extension of Chase Burns may change things.
Plus, I genuinely think it would be a good idea for the Reds to deal Greene as a sort of reset for the current roster. There are two reasons, the first being the Reds’ very poor farm system rankings at this moment.
Following the draft, Cincinnati was ranked among the bottom 10 farm systems by Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter. Greene should garner multiple top-five prospects as a minimum return. In addition, Greene’s tendency to be on the injured list and unavailable for full seasons has put Cincinnati at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Greene’s contract jumps from $8.3 million in 2026 to $15.3 million in 2027 and $16.3 million in 2028. Cincinnati also needs to think about freeing money up to pay guys like Sal Stewart and potentially Elly De La Cruz.
Advertisement
Cincinnati can no longer afford to rely on multiple top-of-the-rotation pitchers who are injury-prone, as Nick Lodolo is back on the injured list with a blister issue. A rotation of Chase Burns, Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder and a revolving door at the No. 5 spot is sufficient to get a team to the playoffs.
Cincinnati needs help all over the field, and trading Greene would address many of those needs. None of the five players I listed earlier would bring a return close to what Greene would. Potential trade chips that are not on expiring deals, such as Spencer Steer and JJ Bleday, could give the Reds quality prospects in return, but nothing close to Greene.
At the end of the day, if a team makes an offer for Greene that is above and beyond, the Reds should take it. Making up for the very poor deals that cost Cincinnati Mike Sirota and Sammy Stafura is of high importance at this trade deadline.
