Cincinnati Reds RHP Hunter Greene returns from groin strain injury
Cincinnati Reds RHP Hunter Greene (4-3, 2.72) returns from the IL Wednesday to start against the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park.
The Cincinnati Reds should consider trading Hunter Greene in the offseason to improve their chances of becoming World Series contenders.Greene’s injury history and the Reds’ pitching depth make him a tradable asset.Trading Greene could bring back a proven run producer or top prospects and free up salary to pursue free agents like Kyle Schwarber.
Step 1 for Hunter Greene and the Cincinnati Reds is complete. He made it back and didn’t get hurt.
Now to work on Step 2 – the exit strategy.
Too soon? Absolutely not.
If the Reds want to compete against baseball’s big boys and take the next step to World Series contender while manager Terry Francona is still in the dugout, Cincinnati needs to strongly consider trading Greene in the offseason.
First, Greene needs to keep taking the ball every five days the rest of the season. It’d help if he’d keep pitching like he did on Wednesday night and push the Reds into the postseason. Greene didn’t allow a run over six innings in the Reds’ 8-0 win over World Series-contending Philadelphia, his first appearance after missing the better part of three months with a mild groin strain.
For years, Greene has been talked about as a cornerstone of the Reds’ future plans. But Andrew Abbott seized the role of ace and the Reds showed they have the pitching depth to at least remain competitive while Greene again slow-rolled his return from injury for the second consecutive season.
There’s no ill will toward Greene in the organization, but I get the sense his penchant for taking his good ol’ time coming back from injuries that aren’t deemed to be serious could land him on the trade block. That certainly shouldn’t be the reason for trying to trade him.
No, the reason should be that trading Greene could transform the Reds from competitors into bona find contenders. In a sense, Greene would continue to have great future value to the Reds by wearing a different uniform because of what Cincinnati could get in return for the flamethrowing, right-hander.
Teams would line up to trade for one of the top starting pitchers in the game when Greene is healthy. The Reds could ask for the house and get a big haul in return, including addressing the biggest issue that’s keeping them from being a serious contender – a proven run-producer.
Another approach to a Greene trade, and perhaps the most ideal scenario: Get an end-of-the-rotation, big-league starter and a close-to-big-league-ready player considered among baseball’s top prospects in exchange. Then use some of the $42 million freed up by getting Greene’s contract off the books to make a run at signing Middletown native Kyle Schwarber, who would absolutely rake at Great American Ball Park.
With Schwarber being in town this week with Philadelphia, local media buzzed about the thought of the veteran slugger signing this offseason with the team he grew up rooting for. Schwarber will be a free agent after this All-Star season, so far one of the best of his stellar career. He loves playing in Philadelphia, and the Phillies love him.
But if Schwarber goes on the open market, Reds ownership must go all out to try to get him – and where he’s from really should have nothing to do with it. Even if the Reds could only get him for one season, it’d be worth taking a shot. Imagine what Schwarber’s 42 home runs and 97 RBI this season would do for a light-hitting Reds lineup.
Schwarber, who’s making $20 million this season, is exactly the type of player the Reds need. In fact, there may not be a better fit in the majors.
He’s a winner, having won a World Series ring with the Chicago Cubs. He’s a consistent run producer, having belted 46, 47, 38 and 42 home runs the last four seasons and currently on pace to set new career highs in homers and RBI.
And Schwarber would be a great fit for the Reds’ team-first culture, a fantastic teammate who’d show up everyday and play hard for Francona and the Reds. Schwarber is tough and has a competitive edge – Francona’s kind of guy.
That’s Reds owner Bob Castellini’s type of guy, too. It’s your move, Mr. Castellini. Figure out a way to make it happen.
Contact columnist Jason Williams at jwilliams@enquirer.com