Reds front office just made it clear why Hunter Greene trade rumors won't stop

Sometimes we say a lot when we say nothing at all. This has been the case with Nick Krall and the abundant trade rumors swirling around Hunter Greene. The Reds’ president of baseball operations has been evasive regarding whether or not Greene is on the trade block, and his latest soundbite that he “doesn’t want to speculate” seems to leave the door open for a blockbuster trade involving the Reds ace.

Krall also noted that he hadn’t yet engaged in conversations and wasn’t quite sure what players would be available in the event of a Greene trade. A player of Greene’s caliber would certainly draw interest and would likely yield at least one big-league bat and some prospects. Rebuilding squads like the Minnesota Twins and playoff hopefuls like the New York Mets could be in play, but the asking price will be significant.

Nick Krall’s evasiveness on Hunter Greene questions is stoking Reds rumors

It wouldn’t be the first time that Krall shopped a star pitcher in the winter. Years before actually dealing Sonny Gray to the Twins, he was reportedly listening to offers when Gray had multiple years left on his contract. The Reds also dealt Eugenio Suarez with three guaranteed years left on his seven-year extension and parted ways with Luis Castillo in his final contract year.

That was a different Reds club, though. Those rumors and trades occurred when Cincinnati’s window of contention seemed to be closing. They had narrowly missed the postseason in 2021 and couldn’t continue to bear the weight of the contracts on their payroll. Krall was explicit about his desire to clear some space in the budget.

Entering 2026, Greene is the highest paid player at $8.3 million. His salary won’t break the bank until it jumps to $15.3 million in 2027. Gray, Suarez, and Castillo were all at or soon to be above $10 million when they were dealt. At the very least, the Reds can afford to hold on to Greene for one more season.

The appeal of a trade, then, must come from the players available to the Reds, not from budget constraints. That may give Krall a reason to be tight-lipped. He isn’t looking to dump salary; he’s hoping to swing a blockbuster deal that will give the Reds a better chance of returning to the postseason.

This is not a move of desperation or penny-pinching. This would be a move of proactive planning and enticement. With that in mind, don’t expect Krall to tip his hand too early, and don’t expect the rumor mill to stop any time soon.