"Manager Terry Francona is the latest member of Cincinnati's organization to downplay the possibility of trading starting pitching. Francona said on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast that he wasn't anticipating a Hunter Greene trade. " I don't think those things are gonna (happen)...pitching is too hard for us to acquire through free agency...we gotta keep Hunter on the mound," Francona said in a clip relayed by Chatterbox Sports."
"Greene battled a groin injury multiple times last season, but he was dominant when healthy. He set career-best marks in xFIP (3.27) and SIERA (3.06) while throwing harder than ever before. Greene's heater averaged 99.5 mph in 2025, a 1.9 mph jump from 2024. Among pitchers who threw at least 100 innings, Greene ranked fourth in swinging-strike rate and sixth in K-BB%."
"The most notable development for Greene last season was how often he was in the strike zone. He posted a strong 68.6% strike rate and a career-low 6.2% walk rate. Greene had never recorded a season with a strike rate above 65% or a walk rate below 9%. The improved command helped him maintain a lower pitch count and work deeper into games. He notched quality starts in 11 of 19 outings."
The Cincinnati Reds are unlikely to trade starting pitching, with leadership downplaying moves involving arms and emphasizing difficulty of acquiring pitching in free agency. Cincinnati's rotation, led by Hunter Greene, ranked sixth in National League ERA, third in strikeouts, and among the league leaders in starter innings. Greene dealt with groin issues but produced career-best xFIP (3.27) and SIERA (3.06), averaged a 99.5 mph heater in 2025, and posted top-tier swinging-strike and K-BB% rates. Improved command produced a 68.6% strike rate, a 6.2% walk rate, deeper outings, and 11 quality starts in 19 appearances. Greene signed a six-year, $53MM extension with a $21MM 2029 team option.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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