As the trade deadline creeps closer, Hunter Greene keeps finding his way into the rumor mill - and not just as a passing mention.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed Greene as a name to keep an eye on, even while stressing that the Reds have not said they are shopping their ace. Bowden wrote, "There continue to be rumors that the Reds will shop ace Hunter Greene, although they’ve never confirmed that.
When you have two No. 1 starters like the Reds do with Chase Burns and Greene, I’m not sure it makes sense to trade one of them. I’d much rather have them be at the top of my rotation in 2027.
However, they could be concerned about Greene’s injury history and the fact that he’s signed through 2028. He’s certainly worth monitoring."
That chatter stands out because Greene is on a team-friendly deal and, as Bowden noted, under team control through 2029. The Reds also extended Chase Burns on Thursday, a move that looked like a clear signal they want Burns and Greene forming the top of the rotation for the next three seasons.
Still, Cincinnati has plenty of holes to fill across the roster, and that leaves open the possibility that the front office is at least checking Greene’s market. If another club is willing to put together a massive package, the Reds could decide that kind of return would speed up their turnaround.
Greene has only made two starts this season after missing the beginning of the year following surgery on his throwing elbow. His first outing back went badly, with eight runs allowed, but he answered with a much sharper performance against the Chicago Cubs, striking out 12 over seven innings in a win.
He is scheduled to start the series finale in Colorado on Sunday afternoon. Brady Singer will pitch Friday night, and Rhett Lowder is lined up for Saturday.
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Surezs recent uptick, Lowes bargain contract and the appeal of left-handed relief help all give the Reds some movable pieces, even if nothing has been finalized. The bigger question is how far Cincinnati is prepared to go if interest builds, because the market can change quickly once teams start hunting for pitching, catching and bullpen depth. For now, the names are out there, the deadline clock is ticking and the Reds look as if they could be one of the more active teams to watch. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mariner Eugenio Surez Returns With Trade Deadline Tension Hanging Over Him
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Surez has been through this before, with multiple moves already on his resume, so the possibility of another one is hardly foreign. Even with that backdrop, he has kept his focus on the field, and there was also a more personal moment recently when he and Ezequiel Tovar connected over the earthquakes in Venezuela, a reminder that the deadline noise is only part of the story surrounding him right now. [Read more 🡒]