The Cincinnati Reds are expected to trade Johnny Cueto this season at the trading deadline and teams like the NY Yankees, Kansas City Royals, LA Dodgers, Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros could be interested in making a deal for the pitcher, while Aroldis Chapman and Mike Leake also could be options.
The Reds have not been in contention for most of the season and many in the media expect the tam to sell at the trading deadline. Cueto and Leake are coming into the free agency and they could be traded as rentals for the playoff chase. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds "firesale is in full swing" and ownership has "give the go-ahead" for the front office to make moves at the deadline.
Cueto and Leake are likely to get traded and players like Aroldis Chapman, Marlon Byrd, Jay Bruce and Skip Schumaker also could be moved. The Reds hosted the All-Star game and it's likely they did not want to make any major moves before the event. The Reds are getting a ton of interest in Cueto and teams like the Yankees, Rangers, Astros and Royals could be options to make a deal.
According to Jon Morosi at Fox Sports, the Yankees are scouting Cueto in his first start out the All-Star break and he has also been scouted by the Rangers and the Royals. Cueto was one of the best pitchers in baseball during the first half of the season, putting up a sub 3.00 ERA and striking out just under a batter an inning with a 0.90 WHIP. The Reds are 16 games out of first place this season and that could force the team to make some major moves.
According to the Kansas City Star, the Royals are interested in Cueto and Andy McCullough reports the team is "pushing hard" to get the pitcher. The Royals may also be looking for an outfielder with Alex Gordon injured and if that happens, the team could also look at Mike Leake over Cueto. Cueto is 29 years old and will be a free agent next winter and it's very likely that he will be moved at the deadline. Hardball Talk reports that the Dodgers are also interested in Cueto.
USA Today reports that the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals and Blue Jays have been the "most aggressive" in going after Cueto this summer. Cueto will not cost much for the rest of this season and teams with deep farm systems like the Astros and Royals could afford to give up some prospects.
Check here for more on the interest in Cueto for the Reds at the trading deadline.
