As Cincinnati weighs an aggressive rebuild, moving core assets like Hunter Greene or Andrew Abbott could replenish the farm system and reshape the franchise's long-term trajectory.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and the Foul Territory podcast said Wednesday that the Cincinnati Reds are expected to be very aggressive ahead of the trade deadline, especially when it comes to players on expiring contracts, including Tyler Stephenson, Brady Singer, Caleb Ferguson and Nate Lowe.
However, Rosenthal said the Reds need to make a real impact. That means trading some players who remain under team control beyond this season. Obviously, trading those players would signal the Reds are closer to a rebuild, which goes against their original plan to retool for 2027.
If they were to trade some of their more controllable players, who would that be?
CP Emilio Pagán
Pagán has a player option after this season and is currently on a hot streak in late-game situations. He suffered a hamstring injury earlier this season and missed just under two months.
He has allowed just two earned runs since returning July 1 and has recorded three saves in his last three opportunities. At 35 years old, it is fair to assume Pagán may not have as strong a season next year as he continues to age. He is also owed $10 million.
The biggest roadblock the Reds would face in a potential trade is that Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke will be free agents after the season. Pierce Johnson has a mutual option, while Pagán, as mentioned earlier, has a player option.
SP Andrew Abbott
I really like Abbott as a middle-of-the-rotation starter for the Reds moving forward. He is arbitration-eligible for the next three seasons before becoming a free agent in 2030. Abbott could command both prospects and MLB-ready players in a trade because he is having a strong season with a 3.85 ERA.
I do not think the Reds will or should trade Abbott, but he could be in a situation similar to Hunter Greene's: If a team offers more than enough, the Reds should at least entertain it.
OF JJ Bleday
Bleday could very well provide more value as an everyday outfielder in 2027 than he would as a trade chip. He has 18 home runs and is hitting just above .230. He has been a solid bat in the outfield, but I would not blame the Reds if they traded Bleday for prospects and took a chance on another outfielder next season. Maybe Hector Rodriguez, who is tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A?
You also have to take the collective bargaining agreement into account. It has recently been reported that some owners believe there will not be a single game played next season. Maybe the Reds want to put themselves in the best position if baseball is not played next season. Trading Bleday would accomplish that.
SP Hunter Greene
It was reported that Nick Krall would be willing to listen to offers for Hunter Greene, which he should. I think trading Greene would accomplish the most because it would replenish the farm system and help the Reds acquire players who could contribute in 2027.
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Nick Lodolo is also an option, but he is on the IL with the blister issue that's plagued him, so that makes a prospective deal harder.
