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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 players that could shape the trade market

By Kyle Franzoni

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Jun 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnny Cueto

  • Team: Cincinnati Reds
  • Position: Starting Pitcher
  • 2015 Stats: 4-4, 2.98 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 8.5 K/9 ratio

Johnny Cueto may be the lone entry on this summer’s MLB trade market that truly qualifies for the term, “Ace”. The right-hander finished second to Clayton Kershaw in the National League Cy Young voting in 2014 after going 20-4 with a 2.25 ERA and leading the league with 242 strike-outs. He’s followed that up by winning four of his first eight decisions in 2015, while maintaining an ERA under 3.00 and continuing to miss bats and limit walks.

The one true question is whether the Cincinnati Reds will actually make a deal. As of this writing, the team is only four games under .500 (32-36) and sits just 5.5 games out of a wild card spot in the National League. However, the Reds may be motivated to move Cueto for reasons outside of their own contention in 2015.

Cueto is a free agent this winter and promises to be one of the most sought-after arms on the market. That said, he’s unlikely to return to Cincinnati, especially with the Reds already having way too much money dedicated elsewhere (Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto). By moving Cueto at the deadline, the Reds will see a much better return on investment than they would be offering Cueto a qualifying offer this winter and recouping a compensation pick in next year’s draft.

With teams like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers all on the prowl for starting pitching, the Reds stand in a position to quicken their rebuild process and supplement their system with high-ceiling talent. Sure, he’s a short-term rental, but team’s will pay the price to land a big-time ace for a playoff push and it wouldn’t be unheard of for the Reds to try and hold out for a package like the one the A’s sent the Cubs for Jeff Samardzija last year.

Cueto is easily the biggest chip on the market, but he may not be the last. Once he falls, the attention will certainly turn to….

Next: Cole Hamels: Philadelphia Phillies

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