Proposed Reds trade sees Cincinnati deal for $4.4 million 3.18 ERA veteran starting pitcher as emergency response to Hunter Greene injury

With the news that All-Star ace Hunter Greene will miss the first half of the season due to bone chips removal surgery in his elbow, the Cincinnati Reds need to make an emergency move in order to keep themselves as contenders. Luckily, there might be a trade they can make that can at least help them tread water as they wait for Greene’s return.

According to FanSided’s Zachary Rotman, the Reds should call up the Toronto Blue Jays and make a deal for veteran starter Eric Lauer. Lauer reportedly isn’t too happy in Toronto, so it could be a win-win for both sides. 

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The trade would look like this: 

Reds get: LHP Eric Lauer

Blue Jays get: RHP Graham Ashcraft

“Lauer is an ideal swingman for the Reds to roster, and he wouldn't cost that much. Graham Ashcraft throws hard, and his advanced metrics were impressive in 2025, his first year as a full-time reliever, but he's also expendable with Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan, Pierce Johnson and Connor Phillips as other right-handed relief options for Terry Francona to turn to. This deal might lean slightly in Toronto's favor value-wise, especially since Ashcraft is under control for two more years than Lauer, but starting pitching is hard to find this time of year, and is expensive when it's available. The Jays would be more than fine using Lauer in a swingman role. The Reds would have to make a deal worthwhile, and while Ashcraft might pitch well in Toronto, Cincinnati's bullpen should be fine without him,” Rotman wrote. 

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This past season, Lauer posted a 9-2 record, a 3.18 ERA, 102 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.108 over 104 innings pitched. He would be a solid starter to hold the line, and the Reds could move him to the bullpen upon Greene’s return.

He’d be cheap, too. While he’s set to be a free agent after this year, he’s slated to make $4.4 million this season, which is perfect for a smaller market like Cincinnati.

Hopefully, the Reds realize this is probably one of the better moves they can make with Opening Day right around the corner, and get to work on making a deal.

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