Proposing a Reds-Tigers Hunter Greene trade package that could get talks in motion

Tarik Skubal isn't the only ace rumored to be on the trade block this season, but the noise around the Reds' Hunter Greene seems to be a little more real. Both Scott Harris and Nick Krall, Cincinnati's GM, have plainly declined to comment on the status of potential trade pieces, but the Reds could have more to gain from a Greene trade than the Tigers would a Skubal.

The Tigers' rotation going into 2026, if Skubal stays put and Jack Flaherty opts out, is Skubal, Casey Mize, Reese Olson, and Troy Melton. They could fill their fifth spot with Keider Montero, or sign/ trade for a starter to fill that last spot.

None of Mize, Olson, or Melton are completely ideal as No. 2 starters, but a Skubal-Greene one-two punch could be lethal with the rest serving as formidable depth. If there is indeed a Skubal window, though Harris has insisted he doesn't buy into that idea, a guy like Greene could maximize it.

Greene is under contract with the Reds through 2028 with a club option for 2029 on a six-year, $53 million extension that's heavily backloaded. Although he's been frequently injured, he's also been outstanding when healthy.

If the Tigers made a play here, what would it take to get Greene to Detroit?

What would a realistic Tigers-Reds package for Hunter Greene look like?

The Reds are likely to be looking for major league outfielders, but there's basically no way that Detroit will give up either Riley Greene or Kerry Carpenter, even though they'd easily be the two most enticing options the Tigers could offer. It would also take a top 10 prospect, but Detroit's Nos. 1-4 (Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Josue Briceño, Bryce Rainer) are basically untouchable.

Justyn-Henry Malloy and Wenceel Pérez are both years away from arbitration eligibility and have shown flashes of potential so far — particularly Pérez, who has a massive strikeout problem (much like the rest of the Tigers' offense), but did improve all of his average, OBP, and slugging from 2024 to 2025. He also managed to come through for Detroit with a huge two-run double in the Wild Card round.

Anderson, Detroit's No. 9 prospect, was purported to be the Tigers' most likely prospect to be dealt at the deadline, and he's probably still in the danger zone heading into the offseason. The Reds' infield is more than covered, but Anderson's below-average infield defense could warrant a move out to left field.

It might not be enough to completely sway Cincinnati (the Tigers might have to throw in a controllable pitcher, maybe Keider Montero), but it could get a conversation started.