Pitcher Johnny Cueto was possibly the biggest name on the trading market, and the American League-leading Kansas City Royals landed the ace on Sunday afternoon. The Cincinnati Reds sent Cueto to the Royals for three prospects, including pitcher Brandon Finnegan, who pitched in last year's World Series.
Kansas City welcomed Cueto to the team by sending a tweet with a cartoon of the newly acquired pitcher out to the public. The Royals announced the deal live and received a standing ovation during the third inning of Sunday's 5-1 win over the Houston Astros.
Despite having one of the most dominating bullpens in the league, the Royals' rotation has struggled this season. Opening Day starter Yordano Ventura has under-performed and has been up and down from the minors all season long. Jason Vargas has had two stints on the disabled list, and is out for the rest of the season with a torn UCL.
Royals' starters have had a hard time pitching deep into games, as they search for their first title since 1985. Kansas City lost in Game 7 of the World Series last season against the San Francisco Giants, but did not add much starting pitching in the offseason.
Cueto is a free agent after the season and had spent his entire career with the fourth-place Reds. Cincinnati is look toward the future with their moves, including possibly moving both Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman before Friday's deadline.
The Reds also received John Lamb and Cody Reed, while sending money to Kansas City to help pay Cuteo's remaining salary for the year.
They sent Finnegan and Lamb to Triple-A Louisville, and Reed was sent to Double-A Pensacola.
Kansas City selected Finnegan in the first round of last year's draft, and he made seven playoff appearances in 2014. The left-hander became the first pitcher to pitch in both the College and Major League World Series. He has split his time between Triple-A and the majors this season.
The 25 year-old Lamb was a fifth round pick in 2008, and is 9-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 17 starts with Triple-A Omaha.
The 29 year-old Cueto won 20 games last season, finishing second in NL Cy Young voting, and is 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA in 19 starts this season. His last start came on Saturday, pitching eight innings of shutout baseball against the Colorado Rockies.
He made his major league debut in 2008 with the Reds and is 92-63 with a 3.21 ERA in eight major-league seasons.
Kansas City starters has averaged 5.2 innings pitched per start, while Cueto has averaged 6.9 innings pitched. The new ace of the rotation looks to add depth to the staff, as the Royals look to make another run deep into October.
Kansas City welcomed Cueto to the team by sending a tweet with a cartoon of the newly acquired pitcher out to the public. The Royals announced the deal live and received a standing ovation during the third inning of Sunday's 5-1 win over the Houston Astros.
Despite having one of the most dominating bullpens in the league, the Royals' rotation has struggled this season. Opening Day starter Yordano Ventura has under-performed and has been up and down from the minors all season long. Jason Vargas has had two stints on the disabled list, and is out for the rest of the season with a torn UCL.
Royals' starters have had a hard time pitching deep into games, as they search for their first title since 1985. Kansas City lost in Game 7 of the World Series last season against the San Francisco Giants, but did not add much starting pitching in the offseason.
Cueto is a free agent after the season and had spent his entire career with the fourth-place Reds. Cincinnati is look toward the future with their moves, including possibly moving both Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman before Friday's deadline.
The Reds also received John Lamb and Cody Reed, while sending money to Kansas City to help pay Cuteo's remaining salary for the year.
They sent Finnegan and Lamb to Triple-A Louisville, and Reed was sent to Double-A Pensacola.
Kansas City selected Finnegan in the first round of last year's draft, and he made seven playoff appearances in 2014. The left-hander became the first pitcher to pitch in both the College and Major League World Series. He has split his time between Triple-A and the majors this season.
The 25 year-old Lamb was a fifth round pick in 2008, and is 9-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 17 starts with Triple-A Omaha.
The 29 year-old Cueto won 20 games last season, finishing second in NL Cy Young voting, and is 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA in 19 starts this season. His last start came on Saturday, pitching eight innings of shutout baseball against the Colorado Rockies.
He made his major league debut in 2008 with the Reds and is 92-63 with a 3.21 ERA in eight major-league seasons.
Kansas City starters has averaged 5.2 innings pitched per start, while Cueto has averaged 6.9 innings pitched. The new ace of the rotation looks to add depth to the staff, as the Royals look to make another run deep into October.
