When Hunter Greene took the mound for game 1 of the Wild Card series vs the Los Angeles Dodgers, many expected Greene to be dominant. However, the opposite transpired.

Greene gave up six hits and five earned runs in three innings, resulting in the Dodgers taking game 1, and eventually the series, with a 10-5 victory.

The Cincinnati Reds had what could be described as a top-half staff in all of baseball. However, with several players’ futures with this team depending on free agency, some drastic changes might be made to this Reds starting rotation and bullpen.

Here is what the team needs to do to improve its pitching staff this offseason.

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Cincinnati Reds Offseason Pitching Blueprint

The Cincinnati Reds finished with the 12th-best team ERA, seventh-best WHIP, and seventh-best opponent batting average in all of baseball during the 2025 season.

While many would believe that this staff doesn’t require a drastic change, multiple key players could be hitting the open market this offseason. If these players leave and the Reds don’t find a proper replacement, they could be setting themselves back in 2026.

Should The Reds Trade Hunter Greene?

While many executives and media personnel believe that the Reds should trade their 26-year-old ace, the easy and most logical answer is no. Trading Greene, while it could get a nice return, could be the worst decision the Reds could make.

Reds beat writer Mark Sheldon suggested that the team might consider trading Hunter Greene this offseason. pic.twitter.com/9WA4JnrFFZ

— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) October 10, 2025

The former first-round pick has been improving the past two seasons and is finally turning out to be the ace that Reds fans always envisioned him to be.

Greene has been the Reds’ best pitcher the past two seasons and just signed a six-year, $53 million extension with the Reds in 2023. Greene is the heart and soul of this Reds rotation and staff.

While the Reds sit comfortably at starting pitching depth, trading Greene would completely derail the rotation. No matter what you could get in return.

Key Names Up In The Air

The Cincinnati Reds will enter the 2026 offseason with eight pitchers who could potentially leave the team, including three starters and five relievers.

The Reds are at risk of losing a lot of their pitching depth this off-season.

Which pitchers at risk of leaving would you like to see return? pic.twitter.com/oQGioYboqx

— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) October 10, 2025

The Reds are at risk of losing Zack Littell, Nick Martinez, Wade Miley, Emilio Pagán, Ian Gibaut, Sam Moll, Brent Suter, and Scott Barlow this offseason. So now the Reds must ask themselves a question. Who’s worth it to bring back?

Potential Losses Stat Comparison

Here are the 2025 stats for the players mentioned above.

Zack Littell: 10 G, 53.1 IP, 2-0, 4.39 ERA, 1.069 WHIP, 3.73 SO/BB
Emilio Pagán: 70 G, 68.2 IP, 32 Saves, 2.88 ERA, .917 WHIP, 3.68 SO/BB
Nick Martinez: 40 G (26 GS), 165.2 IP, 11-14, 4.45 ERA, 1.207 WHIP, 2.76 SO/BB
Brent Suter: 48 G, 67.2 IP, 1-2, 4.52 ERA, 1.286 WHIP, 2.94 SO/BB
Scott Barlow: 75 G, 68.1 IP, 4.21 ERA, 1.309 WHIP, 1.67 SO/BB
Sam Moll: 23 G, 18.1 IP, 6.38 ERA, 1.418 WHIP, 2.20 SO/BB
Ian Gibaut: 25 G, 25.1 IP, 4.62 ERA, 1.342 WHIP, 1.88 SO/BB
Wade Miley: 3 G, 12 IP, 1-0, 6.75 ERA, 1.750 WHIP, 1.17 SO/BB

Who To Keep & Who To Let Go

Littell was one of the three moves the Reds made during the offseason. Giving up their 10th-ranked prospect, LHP Adam Serwinowski, and RHP Brian Van Belle. Littell came with a risk due to the number of homers he gives up, and having to pitch in the most hitter-friendly ballpark in the league definitely doesn’t help his case.

Nick Martinez accepted a qualifying offer from the Reds last offseason, worth over $21 million. Martinez has been utilized as both a starter and a reliever throughout his career, and that didn’t change in his two seasons in Cincinnati. With him being 35 years old and his projected market value being around $14.3 million per year, it would be in the Reds’ best interest to let him go.

The decision whether or not to keep Gibaut, Moll, and Miley should be easy for the Reds to make. You have to let them walk. They were three of your worst pitchers this year, and they can easily be improved on from within the organization.

Emilio Pagán established himself as the Reds’ closer this year. His 32 saves on the year tied for the fifth most in the majors. Pagán had a great rebound year in his second year with the Reds and found comfort in his new role.

Pagán’s estimated market value sits at $12.3 million per year; however, he will turn 35 during the 2026 season. While he is up there in age compared to Martinez, he is more deserving of a new contract with the Reds, given the starting pitching depth the Reds have.

Barlow and Suter become the biggest question marks here. Barlow excelled for a majority of the season for the Reds after signing a minor-league deal with the team during Spring Training. Suter also did the same and is a major locker room presence that this team desperately needs. Keeping one over the other may be the best option.

Keep: Pagan, Suter

Let Walk: Littell, Martinez, Barlow, Gibaut, Moll, Miley, 

Who Can Step Up In A Bigger Role?

Three key pitchers who could receive a larger role in the staff in 2026 are Luis Mey, Zack Maxwell, and Connor Phillips.

Luis Mey appeared in 23 games for the Reds this season. In that time frame, Mey finished with a 2-0 record and 3.43 ERA. His 100+ mph fastball shines; however, that leads to some struggles finding the zone. If Mey can find the zone more, he could become a deadly piece in this Reds bullpen.

Zack Maxwell, a.k.a Big Sugar, also made his debut in 2025. While he struggled in his eight games, he showed signs of what he could be. For Connor Phillips, he completely turned the page.

In 2023, Phillips made his debut as a starter. In five games, he finished with an ERA just south of 7.00 and was consistently rocked by his opponents. In 2025, however, he became one of the best relievers the Reds had to offer.

Phillips appeared in 21 games this season and put together a stellar campaign out of the bullpen. He finished the season with a 2.88 ERA and a 5-0 record while pitching efficiently. Phillips has found comfort in his new role in the bullpen and should easily be one of the best options out of the pen in 2026.

What Do You Do With Burns and Lowder?

Two of the biggest stars in the Reds’ rotation are also two of the biggest question marks. Rhett Lowder missed the entire 2025 season with multiple injuries. When he made his debut in 2024, Lowder quickly established himself as one of the next great starters in Cincinnati Reds’ history.

The 2023 first-round pick started six games for the Reds. Posting a 2-2 record, 1.17 ERA, and 1.272 WHIP. However, Lowder has been hit by the injury bug and may now be considered injury-prone. The best decision is to keep him in the rotation when he’s healthy; however, he could return a nice package in a trade.

Moving on to their first-round pick the following year, Chase Burns quickly became one of the top prospects in all of baseball before making his MLB debut this season in June. In that start, Burns struck out eight Yankees while giving up three runs on six hits in just over five innings.

However, Burns was also sidelined with an injury and was moved into the pen for the conclusion of the regular season and the postseason. As a starter, Burns posted a 5.24 ERA, and as a reliever, Burns posted a 2.00 ERA. While Burns obviously should be part of this rotation for countless years, he could be used as a long reliever.

The answer to this question could greatly determine the direction the Reds take with their pitching staff this offseason.

Potential Free Agent Targets

At this rate, the Reds are in desperate need of lefty relievers. By letting Moll and Miley go, the only lefty in the Reds bullpen would be Brent Suter. Luckily for the Reds, many great southpaw relievers could be on the market.

Alex Vesia, Caleb Ferguson, A.J. Minter, and Danny Coulombe could all be affordable and reliable options for the Reds to pursue this offseason.

There are many great righty options for the Reds as well, like Devin Williams; however, given the prior discussion, the Reds would require more left-handed help than right-handed.

Potential Reds 2026 Pitching Staff

Starters:

Hunter Greene
Andrew Abbott
Nick Lodolo
Brady Singer
Rhett Lowder/Chase Burns

Relievers:

Emilio Pagán (CL)
Chase Burns?
Brent Suter
Graham Ashcraft
Connor Phillips
Tony Santilan
Luis Mey
Zack Maxwell
Alex Vesia (FA)
Caleb Ferguson (FA)

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