Fans in Cincinnati are celebrating the 35th anniversary of their 1990 World Series win, but the mood has changed. Reports say that the Reds are thinking about trading away one of baseball’s best young stars. He is a pitcher who is signed to a team-friendly deal worth about $53 million through 2028. The team hasn’t won a playoff series since that magical 1990 season, and now they’re thinking about getting rid of a key player just as the team started to show signs of life by making the playoffs.

The baseball community erupted when trade rumors surfaced. YankeeWRLD captured the frustration perfectly on social media: “The Reds essentially have one of the most talented pitchers in the sport under a 4 year $61 million dollar contract, and they’re already thinking about trading him after just making the playoffs. Shift more of your frustration away from the Dodgers on to owner’s like this.” The sentiment gets to the heart of Cincinnati’s problem: why break up a team that’s finally able to compete? Hunter Greene is everything the Reds have been working toward, but money problems may force the owners to make a decision.

Greene’s stats show that he is becoming a great player. He had a 2.76 ERA in 19 starts in 2025 and struck out 132 batters in just 107.2 innings. This came after his breakout All-Star season in 2024, when he had a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts. His fastball is an electric 99 miles per hour, which is an amazing speed for a starting pitcher and makes him stand out in today’s game.

The contract structure makes this situation particularly frustrating for fans. Greene will earn $6.3 million in 2025, $8.3 million in 2026, and escalating amounts through 2028.

Teams like the Giants are reportedly circling, ready to offer prospects for a cost-controlled ace. The Cincinnati Reds face a painful choice: cash in now or commit to winning with the talent they’ve developed.

Hunter Greene trade rumors divide Cincinnati Reds fanbase

The rumors have set off a firestorm on social media, with fans strongly disagreeing about the front office’s direction. People who support and don’t support Greene have both taken to the internet to share their thoughts on his future in Cincinnati.

“They aren’t trading him,” said one hopeful fan, who still believed that management wouldn’t trade away a pitcher whose fastball averaged 99 mph, making him one of the hardest-throwing starters in baseball. Another pessimistically quipped, “Hunter Greene, get ready to learn, Mariner buddy,” reflecting the worry that small-market teams don’t keep their stars for long, especially since Greene’s value is at an all-time high after two seasons with an ERA below 2.80.

“The Reds are not going to trade Hunter Greene. He’s the keystone of the pitching staff,” read another response that stresses his status as the ace who struck out 132 batters in just 107.2 innings last season. However, a more pragmatic voice countered with, “1 player doesn’t win anything,” pointing to Cincinnati’s inability to win a playoff series since 1990 despite various star players over the decades.

“They’ve never said they are thinking about trading him,” was another common refrain, as angry fans pointed out that the rumors are just that: rumors. But the truth is that Greene’s contract is a great deal, and the Reds’ financial problems mean that every choice they make is looked at closely by fans who want to see them do well in the playoffs.