The Toronto Blue Jays could make more additions to their rotation this offseason.
Toronto acquired Jose Soriano at the MLB Trade Deadline to be a key part of the rotation next year. Yet, the Blue Jays still could use another starter to put alongside Dylan Cease, Soriano, and Trey Yesavage.
With that, MLB analyst Mike Axisa of CBS Sports named the Blue Jays as a landing spot for Cincinnati Reds star right-hander Hunter Greene in a blockbuster move.
“There were rumblings that the Reds would listen on Hunter Greene and their other controllable players (Elly De La Cruz?). When there’s that kind of smoke, there’s at least a little fire. Greene has pitched at an ace level when on the field the last few years and his contract is very team-friendly: $15 million in 2026, $18 million in 2027, and a $21 million club option ($2 million buyout) for 2028,” Axisa wrote.
“He missed the first three months of this season following surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow and is back on the injured list with what the Reds called a sore elbow, so that’s not good. As long as it’s not a major injury, Greene will be in extremely high demand this offseason given the quality of the pitcher (when healthy) and his contract. Super early possible landing spots: Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets.”
The cost to acquire Greene would likely be hefty, given he has years of control and has proven to be an effective pitcher in the past. However, this season, Greene has struggled as the 6-foot-5 pitcher is 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA in 5 starts.
Blue Jays Bolstered Rotation With Soriano Deal
Toronto went out and acquired Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels to bolster the rotation for next year.
A trade for Greene would be similar, and a top-four of Cease, Soriano, Yesavage, and Greene would be tough to beat.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins, meanwhile, was ecstatic to land Soriano at the deadline.
“He’s been incredible,” said Atkins. “Since his injuries and transitioning from the ’pen to a starter, his stuff is electric. He’s competitive and throws the ball over [the plate] at a good enough rate. Our pitching group led by Pete Walker is getting better every day and they’ve had success in this area.”
Toronto would have to give up another top prospect if they made a move for Greene. But, he could be someone Pete Walker takes to another level.
What Would it Cost to Acquire Greene?
Although Greene has some injury concerns, he’s proven that he’s an elite starter when healthy.
Ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, one unnamed MLB exec spoke to Mark Feinsand and thought the Garrett Crochet trade was a fair comp for Greene.
“That seems like a very good outcome for the Reds,” an NL executive said of the Crochet comparison. “In just 146 innings, [Crochet] posted a 4.6 fWAR season in 2024 before being traded. Greene’s platform season has been truncated by an elbow injury and is currently marred by a scary ERA. I would think that teams will overlook the small sample size impacting the ERA. But yet another arm issue may reduce the return more substantively.”
Whether or not the Blue Jays would feel comfortable putting that trade package together for Greene is to be seen.
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