In a stunning and unexpected move that’s already being hailed as one of the boldest trades in recent memory, the Chicago Cubs have acquired Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene, shaking up the Major League Baseball landscape and signaling the Cubs’ intent to contend in a major way.
The blockbuster deal, confirmed by multiple sources late Tuesday night, sends Greene — the Reds’ electrifying 24-year-old right-hander known for his triple-digit fastball and immense upside — to the North Side in exchange for a package of top prospects and young talent. While full details of the trade are still emerging, early reports indicate that the Reds will receive a haul that includes the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, rising left-hander Jordan Wicks, and possibly another high-ceiling arm from the Cubs’ farm system.
For Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, the deal represents a major pivot from the team’s recent measured rebuilding efforts to a full-throttle push toward contention. “Hunter Greene is a rare talent,” Hoyer said in a brief statement. “He’s the kind of pitcher who can anchor a rotation and shift the balance of power in a division. We’re thrilled to bring him to Chicago.”
Greene, drafted second overall by the Reds in 2017, has long been viewed as a future ace. Armed with a fastball that touches 103 mph and a developing arsenal of breaking pitches, he’s shown flashes of brilliance in his young career, though he’s also battled injuries and inconsistency. Still, his 2025 campaign had seen marked improvement — Greene entered the All-Star break with a 3.21 ERA and 126 strikeouts over 101 innings pitched, numbers that made him one of the most coveted arms in baseball.
The trade, coming just weeks before the deadline, stunned fans and analysts alike. Many expected the Cubs to explore the pitching market, but few believed they had the pieces — or the appetite — for a move this seismic. The reaction from around the league has been swift, with analysts calling it a “franchise-defining gamble” for Chicago and a “potentially brilliant retooling move” for Cincinnati.
For the Reds, the trade signals a reset as they retool for the future. Despite a core of young talent, they’ve underperformed in 2025, falling behind in the NL Central standings. By dealing Greene, the Reds gain valuable long-term assets while giving up a player who, despite his immense upside, still carries some risk.
As for the Cubs, the message is clear: the time to win is now. With Greene joining a rotation that already includes Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, the Cubs suddenly boast one of the most dynamic pitching staffs in the National League.
Wrigley Field will be buzzing when Greene makes his debut in a Cubs uniform, likely within the next week. For now, one thing’s certain — the Cubs didn’t just make a move. They made the move.