Bold Hunter Greene trade package will have Yankees fans wondering if Reds might cave

The Cincinnati Reds fanbase have had to listen to rumblings about a Hunter Greene trade since the offseason began. Two prominent Cincinnati beat writers floated the idea at the outset, and it's since become a national talking point. Try as they might — though they've done a poor job — the Reds management has been unable to silence these trade rumors.

Up until recently, no specific team has been linked to the Reds' ace, but The Athletic (subscription required) cited league sources saying the New York Yankees have widespread interest in trading for Greene.

If the Yankees (or any team for that matter) are interested in trading for Greene, it's going be costly. While Cincinnati has arguably some of the best starting pitching depth in the league, it's rare to see a team willing to trade their No. 1 starter — who's still under contract for four more seasons on a very affordable deal — and remain in contention the following year.

But if Brian Cashman and the Yankees are bold enough, the Reds may have no choice but to acquiesce. Let's look at a mock Greene trade package that might be too good for the Reds to pass up.

Bold Reds-Yankees trade package might be enough to land Hunter Greene in the Bronx

If there's one thing the Reds need this offseason, it's a bat — preferably one with plenty of power. The Yankees have been firm in their desire to hold tightly to their top prospect Spencer Jones, and there's little-to-no chance Ben Rice will be moved.

While Reds fans would love to either player in their lineup heading into next season, the most likely position player included in a deal for Greene would be Jasson Dominguez. A former top prospect for the Yankees, Dominguez hasn't lived up to the hype, but he's just 22 years old with plenty of upside. He also plays a position of need defensively and can hit from both sides of the plate.

Yankees starter Cam Schlittler probably isn't up for grabs either, but the Reds have long had interest in right-hander Will Warren. He started 33 games for the Yankees last season, and could be a long-term replacement for Brady Singer who's entering his final year of team control.

Both Dominguez and Warren are on the Major League roster, but the Reds will still need the Yankees to sweeten the pot even more. Yankees pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange stands 6-foot-7 and has an electric fastball. Though he comes with some reliever risk, his heater sits in the upper 90s, and he pairs it with an above-average slider. Lagrange reached Double-A last season, and should be on track to make it to the big leagues by 2027 — maybe sooner.

If the Yankees truly want to make this an offer that the Reds can't refuse, they'll have to add a high-upside prospect, and 19-year-old shortstop Dax Kilby fits the bill. A left-handed hitting infielder with above-average speed and plenty of arm strength to stick at shortstop, Kilby has the type of abilities that will have the Reds front office drooling.

This trade package has the added benefit of bringing back all pre-arbitration eligible players, meaning it would give the Reds some added cash to spend this offseason as they look to restock the bullpen.

Trading Greene would be quite the loss, but if the Reds feel like the quintet of Singer, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Rhett Lowder, and Chase Burns would be enough to keep them afloat in the NL Central, it wouldn't be a complete shock to see them make such a blockbuster trade.

In this proposal, adding Warren and Lagrange gives the Reds even more starting depth, and Cincinnati also has Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar returning from injury. Top prospect Chase Petty is also waiting in the wings.

It'll take a bold swing from the Yankees in order to land Greene this offseason, but a package of Dominguez, Warren, Lagrange, and Kilby would at least start the conversation. Would it be enough to get a deal over the finish line? That's up to Nick Krall and the Reds front office.