Hunter Greene TRADE Coming? Cincinnati Reds Reportedly Open to Blockbuster Deal at MLB Deadline

Trace Fowler and Nick Kirby react to the report that there is a 50-50 chance that Hunter Greene will be traded at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline.

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The Cincinnati Reds could be facing one of the biggest decisions of the MLB trade deadline, as reports indicate there is a legitimate possibility that starting pitcher Hunter Greene could be dealt before Monday's deadline.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Reds have received trade interest in Greene, and one source estimated there is a "50-50" chance that Cincinnati could move the former All-Star right-hander before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

While much of the attention around the starting pitching market has centered on Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Greene has quietly emerged as another intriguing name to watch. Unlike the Reds' impending free agents, Greene is under team control for multiple seasons, making him one of the more valuable starting pitchers who could potentially be available.

Greene signed a six-year, $53 million contract extension with the Reds prior to the 2023 season. The deal includes salaries of $15 million in 2027 and $16 million in 2028, along with a $21 million club option for 2029. Those team-friendly financial terms could make Greene especially attractive to contenders looking to add a frontline starter without taking on an overwhelming financial commitment.

The 26-year-old has endured a frustrating 2026 season after undergoing surgery in March to remove bone chips from his right elbow. The procedure sidelined him for more than three months, limiting him to just four starts entering the trade deadline. In those appearances, Greene has gone 2-2 with a 7.06 ERA.

Despite the uneven results since returning, Greene has still shown flashes of the electric talent that made him one of baseball's premier young pitchers. On July 10, he dominated the Chicago Cubs by throwing seven scoreless innings while striking out 12 batters, reminding teams around the league of the upside he possesses when healthy.

Health, however, remains the biggest question surrounding Greene.

An injury history dating back to his minor league career has prevented him from consistently staying on the field. Greene underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 and has since dealt with shoulder, hip, groin, shin and elbow injuries during his major league career. He has never made more than 26 starts in a single season.

His best campaign came in 2024 when he earned his first All-Star selection after posting a 2.75 ERA across 150 1/3 innings. Greene finished 9-5 that season while establishing himself as one of the National League's most dominant strikeout pitchers and even received Cy Young Award votes.

He followed that performance with another strong season in 2025 despite being limited to 19 starts because of two separate groin injuries. Greene recorded a 2.76 ERA while striking out 132 hitters, continuing to demonstrate his elite swing-and-miss ability whenever he was healthy enough to take the mound.

One National League executive described Greene as "a polarizing player with strong positives and real concerns." The positives are easy to identify. Greene possesses premium velocity, elite strikeout potential, a team-friendly contract and has already proven he can pitch at an All-Star level.

The concerns are just as obvious. Durability has been an issue throughout his professional career, and his recent elbow surgery only adds another layer of uncertainty for teams considering a significant trade package.

If the Reds ultimately decide to move Greene, the return would likely dwarf what they could receive for any of their pending free agents. A healthy, controllable starting pitcher with top-of-the-rotation potential remains one of the most valuable assets in baseball, even with injury concerns.

For Cincinnati, trading Greene would represent a major organizational decision. It would signal a willingness to capitalize on his value while reshaping the roster for the future. On the other hand, keeping Greene would allow the Reds to continue building around a pitcher who has already shown he can be one of the best starters in baseball when healthy.

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, Greene has become one of the most fascinating names to watch. Whether he remains in Cincinnati or headlines a blockbuster deal, his situation could have a major impact on the final days of the MLB trade deadline.