One heartbreaking Winter Meetings trade Reds could make that fans wouldn't forgive

The MLB Winter Meetings begin on Monday in Orlando, Florida and baseball fans will be tuned in all week to see what type of moves (if any) their favorite team makes with an eye toward the 2026 season.

The Cincinnati Reds were rather quiet at last year's Winter Meetings. Outside of plucking Cooper Bowman off the Athletics' roster during the Rule 5 Draft, Cincinnati's decision makers left Dallas without anything to speak of.

This year, however, the Reds could be among the most active teams at the Winter Meetings. Cincinnati has been linked to superstar slugger Kyle Schwarber, and their abundance of starting pitchers makes the Reds a prime candidate to work out a blockbuster trade this coming week.

But while fans are eager to see president of baseball operations Nick Krall, GM Brad Meador, and the rest of the Reds' entourage bring home a coveted free agent or trade for a big-bat, there's one move Cincinnati's brass could make that would be unforgivable.

The Reds cannot afford to dangle All-Star pitcher Andrew Abbott in trade talks during the MLB Winter Meetings

While so many MLB experts and pundits laud the Reds for their rotation depth, there's one starting pitcher who should be off limits this winter, and that's Andrew Abbott. The left-hander enjoyed a breakout season in 2025 and went the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.

Abbott also set a career-high in innings pitched (166⅓), strikeouts (149), and ERA + (159). While Hunter Greene is considered by many to be the Reds' ace, Abbott is close second and under team control through 2029.

Greene has already been mentioned in trade talks this offseason, and while Krall has done a bit of damage control, the flamethrower's name continues to gain traction. Nick Lodolo is another starter the Reds could look to move this offseason. Though he's coming off his best season to date, Lodolo's injury history could force the Reds' brass to trade the lefty if the right deal comes about. Brady Singer's name has also been mentioned early and often this winter due to his outstanding durability and expected salary ($12 million).

While most of Reds Country would prefer to see the team keep all four of their top starters from last season, it's an area of strength within the organization. Trading any one of those three starters could help Cincinnati restock the bullpen and/ or add a potent bat to the middle of the lineup.

But Andrew Abbott is too good to be traded (and frankly should be offered a contract extension). Other than Elly De La Cruz, Abbott is arguably the most popular player on the Reds, and fans would never forgive Krall if he traded the southpaw at this year's Winter Meetings.