A blockbuster trade is brewing in the MLB offseason, one that could see the Cincinnati Reds part with their ace, Hunter Greene, in a bold play for a Diamondbacks star.

Ketel Marte – the $116.5 million switch-hitting phenom.

This sounds wild, given the Reds snuck into the playoffs with their 83-79 record this season. Greene, with his 2.76 ERA and a 132/26 K/BB ratio, was a major contributor. He showed his dominance in the playoff push against the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets. In the two wins, he allowed two hits while striking out 21. Greene made history during the Reds’ Wild Card push by becoming the ‘only pitcher in the modern era (since 1901) with those marks or better over a 2-start span at home.’

In fact, Jim Bowden mentioned it would be a “huge mistake” for the Reds to move on from Greene. ESPN has Greene at only a 10% chance of being traded, so it is a no-category. But never say never.

Jim Riley from BALLCAP Sports jumped on the wagon, “Really got fascinated by the idea of the Reds and the Diamondbacks coming together on Ketel Marte for Hunter Greene.”

Cincinnati is built to survive even without Greene. They have Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Chase Burns, Brady Singer, and Rhett Lowder in the mix. It’s not like a situation the Detroit Tigers would be in if they trade Tarik Skubal. Plus, as Kyle Schwarber’s chase by the Reds has mellowed down, what Riley is saying makes all the more sense.

The Reds wanted Schwarber, but given that the Phillies are expected to offer five years and $145 million, and even teams like the San Francisco Giants are pursuing him, their run seems to have lost its appeal. Cincinnati is working under a tight payroll and only has $20 million breathing room, which feels unrealistic for Schwarber.

So, if the Reds can’t buy a bat, they trade for one. And the Greene and Marte trade doesn’t feel impossible. They are pretty close on baseball trade values, too.

The team could really use Ketel Marte in their roster. He is fresh off a star-level season: .283, 28 homers, 72 RBIs, a Silver Slugger, and another All-MLB First Team nod. He could be the best hitter in the Reds’ lineup.

Slot him right next to Elly De La Cruz, hope for a bounce-back from Matt McLain, and build around Noelvi Marte’s emergence – it’s an offense that screams danger and not “still developing.”

For Arizona, meanwhile, the appeal is equally great. They can pair Greene with Corbin Burnes. But the real question is if they can really stomach losing the Marte bat in the middle of the lineup.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks are not the only option for the Reds’ Hunter Greene package.

Another potential Hunter Greene trade that actually hits

It’s the Boston Red Sox. Boston has the rare combo that every seller wants – MLB-ready bats, a legit pitching prospect, and the motivation to get it done.

Let’s start with the headliner – Jarren Duran. The team’s outfield is overflowing, and moving Duran not just solves the logjam but instantly gives the Reds a spark plug at the top or in the middle of the lineup. After all, he brings 20-homer power, 30-steal speed, and chaos on the bases.

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Sure, the defense can be messy at times, but he is electric, and the Cincinnati Reds need more of that. And then there is Payton Tolle, Boston’s no. 2 prospect, who is one of the most fascinating young arms in the minors.

His fastball is great for his age. In 2025, he put up a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 133 strikeouts in 91.1 innings in the minors.

Cincinnati has a strong pitching development group, so it can help Tolle refine his off-speed pitches. Mikey Romero is another one who could slide next to Elly De La Cruz as early as next year. So in theory, Boston gets their ace, and the Reds get an All-Star outfielder, a blue-chip pitching prospect, and a ready-made infielder – that’s a mega deal!