The Cincinnati Reds' pitching staff, a cornerstone of their 2025 playoff run, has become a hot commodity. But will they actually trade away their prized arms? Rival teams are circling, eager to snag some of Cincinnati's talented starters, recognizing the depth and skill that propelled the Reds back into postseason contention. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Reds are fielding trade inquiries. However, the asking price is high, potentially deterring suitors.
This situation echoes the sentiments expressed by Nick Krall, the Reds' president of baseball operations, back in October. He acknowledged the possibility of trading from their rotation but emphasized the need to carefully consider the implications. As Krall pointed out, trading pitchers necessitates finding replacements, and teams can quickly run into issues with innings limits and injuries.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Both Krall and manager Terry Francona have downplayed the likelihood of trading Hunter Greene, a key player. Krall has stated that trading a potential ace is not on the table, as the team aims to improve. Rosenthal suggests that rival clubs doubt the availability of Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott. Greene is under contract through at least the 2028 season, Lodolo has two years of arbitration control, and Abbott is controlled through 2029.
Brady Singer, a potential free agent next offseason, has been mentioned as a possible trade chip. However, Rosenthal believes the Reds would seek a MLB-ready starter and a strong hitter in return for Singer, a challenging demand.
Cincinnati's rotation has already lost Nick Martinez and Zack Littell to free agency. While Chase Burns is expected to step into the fifth starter's role, and Chase Petty is also in the mix, the team's depth beyond these top six starters has some question marks. Rhett Lowder's minor league season was limited by injuries, and Julian Aguiar and Brandon Williamson are recovering from Tommy John surgeries.
As Krall implied, the Reds may be hesitant to trade their starters, recognizing the importance of their pitching staff. However, a significant return could allow Cincinnati to address other roster needs, particularly in their lineup.
The Reds haven't made many significant offensive upgrades, adding JJ Bleday and Dane Myers while trading Gavin Lux. Their pursuit of Kyle Schwarber was an exception. The team's limited payroll likely restricts major spending unless other funds are freed up, such as Singer's salary. For now, the Reds are relying on internal improvements to boost their lineup, a risky strategy in a competitive NL Central.
What do you think? Will the Reds ultimately trade any of their top pitchers? Do you agree with their strategy of relying on internal improvements for offensive help, or should they be more aggressive in the free agency market? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
