The Cincinnati Reds find themselves at a crossroads, leaning heavily on a 24-year-old star’s right arm while quietly confronting a lineup dilemma that has haunted the team all season. The $53M fireballer with ace credentials has returned from injury just in time to guide the most vital stretch of the season. Yet, as his dominance headlines the rotation, the glaring weakness on offense has left some wondering if one star alone can carry this team toward October.

For all their pitching promise, the Reds’ bats have consistently dragged behind. Entering this homestand, the rotation ranked fourth in the NL with a 3.79 ERA and an impressive 13.7 cumulative WAR, second only to the Phillies. However, the offense tells a darker story—29 games with one run or fewer and a staggering 3-48 record when trailing after six innings. It is the kind of imbalance that makes the rumors of adding a power slugger, like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, this winter look less like luxury talk and more like a necessity.

For the moment, the weight of whole expectations sits squarely on the $53M star, Hunter Greene’s shoulders. The right-hander has a 2.81 ERA with 94 strikeouts in just 77 innings, fresh from a strained groin that sidelined him for two months. Since returning, he has ignited 21 and walked only two across 17 innings, looking every bit like the “post-deadline acquisition” reliever Brent Suter dubbed him. With the Reds four games back in the wild card and near breaking the 12-year curse, Greene’s capability to deliver quality outings is not just a boost; it is the team’s new lifeline.

“Guys always joke that when Hunter Greene is out there, it’s going to be a good day,” Suter said, emphasizing the confidence Greene inspires. Reds infielder Gavin Lux echoed that sentiment, noting, “I don’t think anyone would want to play us if we sneak in there, not with our pitching. Hunter coming back, his arm fresh, he’s as good as anyone in baseball.” Teammates see Greene as more than a pitcher: they see him as the emotional anchor upholding the team together while the front office works to settle its offensive shortcomings.

Still, questions linger about whether Greene’s brilliance can camouflage a lack of power bats down the stretch. The Reds are totally aware that just one slugger could lean the balance of this roster, which is why Alonso and Schwarber’s names keep surfacing in offseason gossip. Until then, Greene represents both the present and the promise, a bulldog willing to carry Cincinnati as far as he can. If the offense continues drooling, though, the pressure on Greene may grow heavier than any single arm should bear alone.

While Hunter Greene’s dominance gives Cincinnati a ray of hope, the Reds’ long-term success also hangs on sturdy roster decisions beyond the mound. And one name specifically stands out as the odd man out in this equation.

Reds expected to move on from Gavin Lux after disappointing season

The Reds took a gamble last offseason by acquiring Gavin Lux from the Dodgers, paying a hefty price that contained top prospect Mike Sirota and a competitive balance pick. The team envisioned Gavin Lux as a defensive upgrade over Jonathan India; however, the reality has been far less encouraging. Lux’s -7 OAA marks the worst defensive output of the star’s career, dragging Gavin Lux’s bWAR to -0.1 despite posting a respectable .732 OPS at the plate. For the team already plagued by offensive inconsistency, such a lack of defensive stability has only amplified its struggles.

Lux’s future in Cincinnati looks even murkier when factoring in his contract situation. With just one year of team control left before free agency in 2027, a long-term extension pop-up is unlikely, particularly after the Reds committed $42 million to Ke’Bryan Hayes. Manager Terry Francona’s defense-first tactic makes Lux’s role expendable, especially with Miguel Andujar outperforming him as a DH. Trading Lux this offseason not only retrieves value but also frees up salary and a roster spot, allowing Cincinnati to run after a proven slugger who can enhance Elly De La Cruz’s prime years.

The Reds’ path forward is clear: Hunter Greene may be the anchor that stabilizes them through the present playoff chase, but the offseason will demand bold moves to poise the roster. Trading Gavin Lux could open the door to landing the kind of power bat that modifies their offense. If Cincinnati truly wants to augment Greene’s dominance and Elly De La Cruz’s prime, the front office must act decisively. Reds fanbase, do you believe this franchise will finally take that leap this winter? Comment down below.