Reds Rumors: Hunter Greene quietly drawing trade interest ahead of GM Meetings

The Hunter Greene trade rumors have dominated the offseason already, and Cincinnati Reds fans shouldn't expect that to let up any time soon. In fact, with the GM Meetings underway this week, those pesky Reds rumors are likely to intensify.

While both president of baseball operations Nick Krall and manager Terry Francona have downplayed the notion of trading Greene this offseason, neither has outright denied the legitimacy of those rumors. MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently shed some light on the Reds rumors that just won't go away.

According to Nightengale, the Reds plan to listen on offers for Greene this winter. Obviously there's a difference between "listening" to offers and "shopping" a player, but the fact that Cincinnati's brass is even considering such action reveals their mindset heading into the offseason.

Reds Rumors: Cincy's front office is prepared to listen to trade offers for Hunter Greene this offseason

Nightengale still expects Greene to show up in Goodyear when the Reds head out to Arizona for spring training next year. Though Cincinnati hasn't declared their ace off limits, they'd have to be absolutely blown away by an offer — something few, if any, teams will be willing to do.

Greene is under an extremely affordable contract that pays him a little less than $40 million over the next three seasons. Even Greene's $21 million club-option for 2029 is a bargain if he plays up to his potential.

Greene's biggest flaw has been an inability to stay healthy, something Francona mentioned as a priority heading into next season. "We need Hunter Greene to be healthy," Francona said. "That's a must. And we got to keep him healthy."

Greene managed just 19 starts in 2025 and logged just over 100 innings pitched. When he was on the mound, however, Greene was the Reds' best pitcher — a mantle he'll want to keep heading into the 2026 season.

It seems downright illogical for the Reds to shop Greene barely a month after making their first playoff appearance since 2020, but as a small-market ball club, they operates on a very tight budget. If another team is willing to hand Krall an offer he can't refuse, there's a chance Greene could be pitching elsewhere next season. At the moment, however, that seems unlikely.