If this was Hunter Greene’s last start as a Cincinnati Red, it was an understated farewell on a cloudy, humid July night on the riverfront.
With the days ticking down to hours before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline and the buzz around his name increasing, Greene made his 10th career start against the Pittsburgh Pirates – fifth overall start of this season since returning from the injured list – and then waited after those six innings to learn what uniform he might be wearing for his next start sometime next week.“I have no control over this,” when asked after the Reds’ eventual 8-7 win over the Pirates whether this might be his last start with the team. “I’m not on the business side, so…”
He said he has had no discussions with the front office about his status.
Greene’s hometown Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned most frequently in the Greene-stakes, largely because of their need for frontline starting pitching with Shohei Ohtani sidelined from pitching, along with their strong farm system and their ability to handle without flinching what’s left on a team-friendly contract ($15 million next year, $16 million in 2028 and a $21 million club option in 2029).
But several teams have been asking about Greene – even before the Reds decided to make him available, assuming they get a high enough return for their most valuable chip as they try to retool for a possible playoff run next year.
Greene, the Reds’ two-time Opening Day starter, said the rumors have not been a distraction.
“Because I can’t do anything about it,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve grown to have a strong connection with the city and the fan base, with my teammates here, with the staff over the years. But to rack my brain over something I can’t control and to put energy and put stress into it doesn’t make any sense to me.”Six teams have had scouts at Great American Ballpark during the homestand solely for evaluating trade-deadline targets, and five were still there for the Pirates series: from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers. Among them, only the Mariners were said to be looking at players from both teams for trade-deadline purposes.
The Philadelphia Phillies, who have scouted the Reds for at least the past month, peeled off after the just-concluded Cleveland series (coincidentally, about the time one of their targets, Spencer Steer, landed on the injured list with a wrist injury).
That may not represent even half the teams focusing on Reds targets in an era when many teams have shrunk their scouting departments to rely more on remote/video evaluations.
The Reds, who blew Greene’s lead in the eighth before rallying in the bottom of the inning to win, have something for everybody’s shopping list.
The Rangers and Rays are among a half-dozen teams looking for catching (see: Tyler Stephenson). The Diamondbacks are looking for lefty bats with openings at first and in the outfield (Nathaniel Lowe). The Mariners are looking for a right-handed bat (maybe third time’s a charm with Eugenio Suarez).
And everybody is looking for pitching with starter Brady Singer sure to be moved, along with two or three relievers, and Greene among the high-priced luxury pitchers available for the right price.
As for the teams in attendance, the Diamondbacks have a recent history of big moves to acquire high-end starters under contract, and the fit would include the personal benefit for Greene of playing where he keeps his full-time home.
Greene’s just one of as many as eight or nine Reds in trade-deadline flux as Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline nears.
“I’m just trying to have peace and an open mind,” said Stephenson, the longest-tenured Red, “and continuing to worry about winning these games. Worrying about it’s not going to help anything.
“I think everybody (in the clubhouse) is in the same (mindset). We have no control over it.”
In fact, trade deadline buzz overshadowed even the pitching matchup between Greene and reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes – who lasted just four innings and allowed five runs. Believe it or not, when the Reds came back to win, it meant they’re 3-1 in games this year started by Skenes and Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski.
Reds trade-chip report for July 31
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds’ Hunter Greene goes 6 in final start before MLB trade deadline
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
