Reds Attracting Trade Interest in Starting Pitchers for 2026

The Cincinnati Reds are once again at the center of offseason speculation. This time, it’s because of the one area where they’re undeniably loaded: starting pitching.

After riding a deep, talented rotation back into the playoffs in 2025, rival clubs have shown heavy trade interest in the Reds. The front office now faces a tough question: could dealing from that strength fix an offense with too many unanswered questions?

The Rotation That Drove Cincinnati’s 2025 Success

The Reds’ return to October baseball wasn’t a fluke. Young, power-armed starters kept the team in games night after night.

In a division where pitching depth matters, Cincinnati’s rotation quickly earned respect. Teams that need reliable starters keep calling, knowing the Reds have both quality and quantity on the mound.

Why the Top Arms Are Likely Untouchable

Nick Krall and Terry Francona haven’t exactly encouraged the trade rumors. The Reds don’t want to move the pillars of their staff, especially with so many years of team control left.

Hunter Greene is signed through at least 2028. Nick Lodolo has two arbitration years remaining. Andrew Abbott is controlled through 2029 and hasn’t even reached arbitration yet.

If you’re building a roster in Cincinnati’s market, these are the guys you hold tight.

Brady Singer: The Most Realistic Trade Chip

If the Reds actually pull off a big trade, most people around the league expect it to involve Brady Singer. Unlike the other top arms, Singer hits free agency after 2026, so the Reds have less time with him.

But even then, the price would be high. The Reds want an MLB-ready starter and a legit bat—something that helps the big-league roster right now.

Recent Departures and Internal Options

This winter, Cincinnati’s depth already took a hit with Nick Martinez and Zack Littell leaving in free agency. That makes keeping controllable arms even more important.

Top prospect Chase Burns is expected to slide into the fifth-starter role in 2026. Chase Petty is pushing for innings too.

The talent’s there, but the margin for error? It’s thinner than it looks.

Depth Comes With Risk

After the top six, the Reds’ pitching depth starts to look a bit fragile. Several arms have health issues that make long-term planning tricky.

Here’s what they’re dealing with:

The Reality of Trading Pitching

Krall keeps saying how tough it is to trade pitching these days. Starters aren’t just about talent—they’re about durability, eating innings, and covering for injuries.

Move one proven arm, and suddenly you might have two new holes in the rotation.

Offensive Holes and Payroll Constraints

There’s a real argument for exploring pitching trades. The Reds’ offense was inconsistent in 2025, and their additions have been modest at best.

JJ Bleday and Dane Myers help around the edges. Trading Gavin Lux took away a versatile piece, which stings a bit.

With payroll limits ruling out any splashy free-agent moves, Cincinnati’s mostly betting on internal growth to keep up in the NL Central. It’s a gamble, but maybe that’s just how it goes for now.

A Delicate Balancing Act

The Reds are walking a tightrope. Trading from a position of strength might solve a few problems, but giving up elite pitching could mess with the formula that got them back to the playoffs in the first place.

For now, Cincinnati will probably listen to offers. Still, they’re only interested if someone comes with a price that’s honestly pretty steep.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Reds Receiving Trade Interest In Starting Pitchers