The Cincinnati Reds do not plan on trading Hunter Green this MLB offseason.
Cincinnati Reds right-handed starting pitcher Hunter Greene has been central to the franchise’s long-term plans since debuting in 2022, and his development over the last two seasons has only strengthened that commitment. Greene posted a 4.4 WAR, 2.76 ERA and 0.938 WHIP across 107.2 innings in 2025 while striking out 132 batters, continuing a progression that began with his breakout 2024 season. Now 26 years old entering 2026, Greene has already accumulated 13.5 career WAR, 617 strikeouts, and nearly 500 innings pitched through his first four years in the majors.
The Reds view Greene as a foundational piece, which is why speculation over his availability prompted a firm response from manager Terry Francona at the Winter Meetings.
When asked about outside interest in the young right-hander, Francona shut down the possibility in emphatic fashion, saying, “We can’t get those guys in our market, so for us to trade him, somebody better give us their whole team.”
For a club that has struggled to consistently attract front-line pitching through free agency, Greene’s combination of age, production and projection places him in a category Cincinnati cannot easily replace.
Francona’s stance is backed by the statistical profile Greene has built to this point. Across his first four seasons, Greene has logged 91 starts, a 3.65 career ERA and a strikeout rate north of 11 per nine innings, all while lowering his FIP and improving his command from year to year. His 2025 numbers marked his most complete season yet, highlighted by his continued ability to overpower hitters, which is something that has defined his profile since being drafted second overall.
Baseball Reference projects Greene to take another step forward in 2026, forecasting 129 innings, a 3.35 ERA, and 148 strikeouts. Those projections signal confidence in his durability and trajectory, particularly after missing some time in 2025 due to injury.
For Cincinnati, Greene’s rise comes at a pivotal moment. The club has built a young core around Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte, and stabilizing the top of the rotation is essential to maximizing that group’s competitive window. With Greene entering the prime of his career and projected to deliver frontline production again, Francona’s message was clear. The Reds are not entertaining offers, they are building around him.
Greene is also not a free agent until 2029, making it even more unlikely the Reds will deal their ace right-hander any time soon.