Reds Ace Facing Long Recovery Could Still Be Traded This Offseason
Greene underwent surgery on his right elbow ligament in early August, the second procedure on that elbow in six months alone, following a spring operation to remove loose bodies that had already cost him the first three months of the season.
He finished 2026 with just 27.2 innings pitched and a 6.83 ERA across five starts.
This Isn't A New Conversation
Greene has been a persistent trade topic for nearly a full year now.
Cincinnati fielded calls on him throughout last winter before president of baseball operations Nick Krall shut the speculation down, and interest resurfaced again ahead of this year's deadline, with insider Mark Feinsand pegging his odds of being moved at roughly 50-50 before the Reds ultimately held onto him.
The Boston Red Sox reportedly specifically inquired about both Greene and Elly De La Cruz before the deadline passed.
Hunter Greene had his second Tommy John surgery yesterday and will miss 12-18 months, per @GDubMLB pic.twitter.com/dkAoG12yx7
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 13, 2026
That interest evaporated once the second surgery became public. As one Reds-focused outlet put it, no team is likely to pay market value for a pitcher who hasn't topped 110 innings in three of his last four seasons, let alone one who just had a second UCL procedure.
Cincinnati Might Move Him Anyway
Greene is in the fourth year of a six-year, $53 million extension, with his salary jumping from $8 million to $15.3 million next season, then $16.3 million in 2028, plus a $21 million club option for 2029.
An acquiring team would be taking on that rising salary during a season Greene almost certainly won't pitch in, but would also be buying into his talent at a discount once he's ready to return, with 2028 salary and a club option attached to a pitcher who's posted a sub-3.00 ERA when healthy.
The surgery shouldn't stop Cincinnati from shopping him this winter regardless, since the team still needs to find a way to offset his absence in 2027 either way, whether by getting something back in a trade now or simply eating the lost year and hoping he returns to form in 2028.
It's A Complicated Call For Cincinnati
The Reds enter next season with pieces already in place, including newly extended ace Chase Burns, lefty Andrew Abbott, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, and Rookie of the Year candidate Sal Stewart.
Losing Greene from that mix, even temporarily, weakens the rotation forecast regardless of whether he's traded or simply rehabbing on Cincinnati's own roster.
Krall has publicly said he doesn't plan to pursue free agent pitching to fill the gap, which suggests the Reds may prefer to wait Greene's recovery out rather than sell low this winter.
