The Cincinnati Reds have lost their last three games to fall to 18-20 and just can't seem to find their rhythm this season. If they fall out of the playoff picture by late July it's almost a foregone conclusion they will trade starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, and the Kansas City Royals could be a potential suitor.
Wait ... what?
Yes, the Kansas City Royals.
But the largest contract in the history of their franchise is $55 million and Cueto is expected to command a $200 million deal after the season.
That's true, but what if Cueto can help deliver the club a World Series?
Cueto is 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA, 0.909 WHIP and 56 strikeouts in eight starts (58 1/3 innings) so far this season and he's bound to be the subject of trade rumors as the deadline approaches. Reds' general manager Walt Jocketty noted in the offseason that it'll be hard for the club to retain Cueto because of the exploding market for starting pitchers. The two sides failed to reach a contract extension before Cueto's self-imposed Opening Day deadline.
With that being said, there's little reason for Cincinnati to keep Cueto if they aren't in a good position to make the postseason because conventional wisdom suggests he'll be gone after this year.
After having one of the best starting rotations last season, the Royals have faltered in 2015 and own a 4.46 starter's ERA in 38 games this season (23rd in MLB). They lack an ace after James Shields signed with the San Diego Padres in the offseason and general manager Dayton Moore signed a few starters this offseason to make up for the loss. However, none are capable of leading the rotation or providing a dominant presence.
This is where the Johnny Cueto rumors begin.
"The Royals could join the pack of teams phoning Cincinnati general manager Walt Jocketty to express interest," writes Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star. "The organization fields a farm system capable of sparking at least a discussion, rival executives say. To those executives, Cueto represents the one asset missing on the Royals' roster: A genuine centerpiece for their rotation.
"As a rule, general manager Dayton Moore dislikes public dissection of potential transactions. He does not monger rumors, and any discussion of a pursuit of Cueto would be premature. But Moore indicated the Royals would search for upgrades as the summer continues."
Of the Royals' starters who have made at least three starts, only two have an ERA under a 5.26 (Edinson Volquez and Chris Young). If it weren't for the team's staunch defense and their third-ranked offense, the rotation's woes would be much more glaring. Nonetheless, it's a clear issue that needs to be fixed because their successful run won't last for the entirety of a 162-game season.
Even C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer believes the Reds' right-hander would be a good fit for the Royals if Cincinnati were to consider trading him.
"Cueto is that ace - for a team that took a step last year to reach the World Series and saw what happens when faced with Madison Bumgarner on the other side. Cueto could be the difference between winning and losing the World Series, a difference that was just 90 feet away last year for Kansas City ...
"The Royals would be an intriguing spot for Cueto, and one where he could help his market even more with a strong postseason showing, which is maybe the only thing missing from Cueto's resume as he looks to be the top free agent on the market."
It certainly would be fascinating match, but it depends what other clubs enter the discussions. It's been said the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to make a move for Cueto, and they have the resources and money to convince the Reds to make a deal and coax the starter to stay on a lucrative extension.
As of right now all we can do is speculate. Kansas City is going to need to explore the market to somehow improve their starting rotation (as long as the struggles continue) if they hope to make another deep postseason run. Cueto could be the guy for them, but it's going to take a lot of work to make it happen.
