Offseason question No. 1: Should the Reds trade Hunter Greene for a bat?

Off-season question No. 1:

Should the Cincinnati Reds trade Hunter Greene to acquire a bat?

Mark Sheldon (MLB.com) and Gordon Wittenmyer (Enquirer) have asked Nick Krall about the possibilities of trading Greene this offseason. Krall has downplayed such talk, pointing to the importance of pitching depth.

Let’s look at points to consider for/against a trade:

Performance:
2025: 2.76 ERA, All-Star
Last two seasons: 2.76 over 45 starts, 258 innings
Career average per season: 23 starts/124 innings

Original contract: Six years/$53M with team options.
Greene ($8.3M) is set to be the 56th highest paid starting pitcher in MLB in 2026. 29 starting pitchers are due to make at least $20M. That includes: Zack Wheeler $42M, Jacob deGrom $38M, Sonny Gray $35M, Luis Severino $25M, Robbie Ray $25M, Eduardo Rodriguez $21M, Joe Musgrove $20M.

Future financial commitments to Greene:
2026: $8.3M
2027: $15.3M
2028: $16.3M
2029: $21M

Durability concerns:
Career low 107.2 innings in 2025. Career high is 150.1 innings.
IL stints each of four seasons. Tommy John surgery in minors.

Just 26 years old

Finally developed a homegrown ace

Could trade Greene for prospects and put contract savings towards acquiring a bat in free agency/another trade.

Can they properly evaluate/develop other team’s prospects?

How do the Reds replace his innings? Zack Littell/Nick Martinez don’t figure to return.

Can they count on Rhett Lowder in 2026?

GABP is detrimental to attracting starting pitchers in free agency

Reds aren’t operating in a payroll bind due to his salary

What impact would a Greene trade have on the fan base?

Thoughts?