The Cincinnati Reds have been saying only one thing: That they won't trade Hunter Greene.
The front office has said it. So has manager Terry Francona.
But what if that's not entirely true?
USA Today's Bob Nightengale has reported Monday that the Reds may, in fact, still look to trade Greene. He acknowledges it wouldn't be an easy deal to make, but suggests it would be far from impossible.
"Despite their recent public denials, they still plan to listen to offers for Greene," Nightengale writes. "Yet, unless they’re completely overwhelmed and receive a return that will help them not only now but in the future, they’ll keep him. He’s owed only $39 million over the next three years with a $21 million club option in 2029. The Reds aren’t going to find a better pitcher at a bigger discount rate."
MORE: The Dodgers have an $87 million free agency secret weapon
This would be a tough deal to really convince Reds fans as something that makes sense.
Greene, the former No. 2 overall pick, is the unquestioned ace of the Cincinnati staff.
The Reds just made the postseason, sneaking in with a late run to grab the final NL Wild Card spot. They were then dispatched of quickly by the eventual repeat world champion Dodgers.
Sending Greene away would feel like a step back. It would probably come with a solid prospect haul in return, something that could matter in the future.
But the Reds have developed a lot of talent, and in a lot of ways feel like they should be adding right now, not subtracting.
A Greene trade may not be impossible, but it'd also be surprising. It's something that'll stay in rumors this offseason, and it's worth noting that Nightengale thinks it really could actually happen.