The MLB trade deadline is heating up, as Johnny Cueto has been traded to the Kansas City Royals for Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed and now players like Cole Hamels or Mike Leake could be traded next heading into the July 31 date.
Cueto was expected to be traded at the deadline by the struggling Reds and now he is in the middle of a pennant chase with the Royals. Kansas City had reportedly been looking for another starting pitcher on the market and the team nearly traded for Cueto on Saturday night before acquiring him on Sunday. According to Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports, the Royals are giving up three young left-handed pitchers, with Finnegan being the most notable player.
Finnegan was a first round pick, while Hardball Talk reports that Reed was a second round pick and Lamb is a "former top prospect." The Reds were not demanding too much for Cueto, but the team expected to receive at least one high end prospect. The team made out well here, as Cueto is heading into free agency and was not expected to be retained. The Reds also have had teams interested in Leake and he could be traded in the next week.
Hamels and Cueto were two of the top names coming into the weekend and each player had key starts. Hamels threw a no-hitter in what could be his final start for the Phillies and Cueto came in and threw eight scoreless innings against the Rockies. ESPN's Jim Bowden predicted that the Royals would make a move, saying that Dayton Moore understood that the team has a small window over the next couple years to contend and win a World Series.
Cueto has had a strong season and he comes in after having interest from the Dodgers and the Orioles. Cueto is just 29 years old and he is expected to get a nice deal in free agency this summer and he has put up a 2.62 ERA this season. Cole Hamels could be next to go, as reports have a deal likely this week, with Rosenthal reporting that "momentum is building" about a trade. Hamels has had interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees this season.
Hamels tossed a no-hitter in his last start and that may have helped his trade value a bit after some struggles over the past month. Hames has a 3.64 ERA this season with 137 strikeouts in 128 innings after striking out 13 against the Cubs and they could be the team that ends up acquiring Hamels. The Phillies have been asking a lot for Hamels and teams have so far been unwilling to give up major prospects in a deal.
