Hunter Greene trade buzz reignites and Reds fans will hate the newest suitor

Just when you thought it was safe, Reds fans, the Hunter Greene trade rumors are back in full swing. Though president of baseball operations Nick Krall and manager Terry Francona did their best at the Winter Meetings to quell talk of a Greene trade this offseason, the rumors have reignited, and fans will absolutely hate the team now looking to poach Cincinnati's ace.

According to Brendan Kuty, a staff writer for The Athletic (subscription required), league sources have connected the New York Yankees to Greene in what's being referred to as widespread interest. There were reports earlier this week of New York's interest in Milwaukee Brewers' starter Freddy Peralta, so it should come as no shock that the Yankees are looking at Greene as they explore the market for frontline starting pitching.

New York's interest in Greene is one thing, but their ability to negotiate a deal for the Reds' starter is something else entirely. The Reds' brass did a poor job of squelching the trade rumors earlier this offseason, and it's likely a major reason why fans are still hearing Greene's name even after the Winter Meetings.

Reds Rumors: Yankees linked to Hunter Greene as their look to upgrade the starting rotation

Do the Yankees even have the assets to pull off such a trade? Sure. Whether or not their actually willing to part with the type of trade package it would take to pry Greene away from Cincinnati is another matter entirely.

Starting pitcher Will Warren, outfielder Jasson Dominguez, slugger Ben Rice, and top prospects Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. would all be appealing options for the Reds. But it would likely take at least two of the aforementioned players (and probably a whole lot more) to even get the Reds' front office to pick up the phone.

Greene's contract — which runs through 2029 — is a bargain. His inability to stay healthy is the only blemish on an otherwise All-Star worthy résumé, and is likely the biggest reason his name has even been tossed about as a potential trade chip this offseason.

The Reds have a tremendous amount of depth in their starting rotation, and survived without Greene for about two months while he was dealing with a hip ailment last summer. Cincinnati remains high on the likes of Chase Petty, Rhett Lowder, and Chase Burns, and if they indeed decided to trade Greene, all three pitchers would need to pick up the slack in 2026.

The likelihood that the Yankees — or any team for that matter — puts forward a sizable offer this offseason is incredibly slim. But stranger things have happened, and Reds fans now have to be guard all over again.