Well, that was a fun 12 or so of speculation. But finally, Johnny Cueto is a member of the Kansas City Royals. In return, the Cincinnati Reds will receive three pitchers – Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, and Cody Reed.
Reds trade Cueto to Royals for LHPs Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 26, 2015
Cueto has had a great year for Cincinnati, though he struggled in his first two starts after the All-Star Break before dominating on Saturday in Colorado. Over 19 starts and 130 2/3 innings this season, Cueto has pitched to a 2.62 ERA, struck out 120, and walked just 29. The 29-year old is a free agent at the end of the season and, because of the trade, won’t be subject to a qualifying offer from Kansas City.
The return for Cincinnati is not insignificant. Finnegan was the Royals’ first round pick a year ago and made his major league debut in September, striking out 10 in seven innings. The Royals somewhat shockingly placed him on their playoff roster, and he thrived until running into the Giants in the World Series, throwing 4 1/3 innings while walking three and striking out three against the Athletics, Angels, and Orioles in the AL playoffs. He’s split this year between AA, AAA, and the majors, throwing 51 1/3 innings, striking out 53, and walking 32.
The 25-year old Lamb is a former top prospect in the Royals system that has been beset by injuries, but has stayed healthy and looked good this season with AAA Omaha. Over 17 starts and 94 1/3 innings, Lamb has a 2.67 ERA, 96 strikeouts, and 29 walks. Cody Reed is a 22-year old that was the Royals’ second round pick in 2013, and has split the year between high-A and AA. He’s thrown 96 innings, punched out 84, and walked 26.
This seems like a pretty good value for the Reds, picking up three solid left-handers in exchange for two months of Cueto. They could probably slide one of Finnegan or Lamb into their pitching staff right now to replace Cueto, and bring up the other later in the year. As for the Royals, they solidify a rotation that has already lost Jason Vargas for the year and seen both Yordano Ventura and Jeremy Guthrie struggle. As long as Cueto stays healthy, the Royals look like the AL favorite following this move.
