The Reds announced that Johnny Cueto has been traded to the Royals for left-handed pitchers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, and Cody Reed. Â The Reds are also sending cash considerations to KC, according to the Royals’ press release.
Cueto, 29, is months from his first shot at free agency, and the fourth-place Reds were been rumored to be shopping him for a while now. Along with the Royals, the Dodgers and Blue Jays were among teams that have been connected to Cueto. However, KC has come out on top.
[RELATED: Latest On Cole Hamels]
Cueto impressed in his final start as a member of the Reds when he threw eight shutout innings at Coors Field on Saturday night.  Just minutes prior to the game, the right-hander wasn’t sure if he’d even be getting the start.  The possibility of a KC trade apparently was so close last night that pitcher Michael Lorenzen had been warming up before the game, prepared to take Cueto’s place.  The deal fell through, for a time, but the two teams reconnected Sunday morning to complete a swap.
Cueto has been a rumored trade candidate for some time now but the Reds were apparently reluctant to move any of their key pieces before this year’s All-Star Game, which was played in Cincinnati.  Now that the All-Star festivities are in the rear view mirror and the Reds are at 43-52, there was little reason for them to hang on to the ace.  Cueto is earning a relatively modest $10MM salary in 2015, of which less than $4.3MM remains.
Through 19 starts this season, Cueto has posted a 2.62 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9. Â For his career, Cueto has posted a 3.21 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 across eight seasons with the Reds. Â Cueto didn’t get to pitch in front of his fans in this year’s All-Star game but he did earn an All-Star nod in 2014, his best complete season to date.
Finnegan, a left-hander, was rated as the No. 55 prospect in the nation by Baseball America heading into the 2015 season.  In seven starts and four relief appearances this season between the Double-A and Triple-A levels, Finnegan has posted a 5.00 ERA with 10.7 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9.  Those numbers aren’t impressive, but they also came in a limited sample size of 27 innings.  At the big league level this year, Finnegan owns a 2.96 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9 in 14 relief appearances.
Rated as the No. 18 prospect in the country by Baseball America prior to 2011, the 25-year-old Lamb has ascended the ranks of KC’s farm system but has yet to make his big league debut. Â Tommy John surgery in 2011 kept him from pitching for the better part of two seasons and slowed his development. Â So far this season, however, he’s looking sharp in Triple-A Omaha, pitching to a 2.67 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 17 starts. In years past, BA has praised Lamb for his control and changeup.
Reed, a left-handed reliever, has split his time between Advanced-A ball and Double-A this year.  Across 15 starts and three relief appearances, the 2013 second-round pick has pitched to a 2.53 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9.
The agreement was first reported byKen Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).  Details added by Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter), Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter), Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (on Twitter), and John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (on Twitter).
If Starling is the headliner, I quit the Reds forever.
Hopefully Bruce is also in deal. Lamb,Starling,Maressa,Colon,Mariot from Royals maybe,
Can KC even afford Bruce? I know he’s not owed an insane amount of money but I’m not sure if their owner would open his pockets. I guess if the Reds ate money on Bruce it’s possible but I doubt this deal contains both Bruce and Cueto although anything is possible I guess.
I think it may be possible he gambles and takes on the salary. If they win the World Series that’s a solid trade off. The money coming in over the next few years would be well worth the extra salary from Bruce, IMO. Doubt it happens but that would be interesting.
Not a chance in hell that Lamb is part of that deal. Keep dreaming. If Cueto had more time on his contract that would have been a possibility.
Comments like this are so great to read after the fact.
Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, and Cody Reed….So your saying there’s a chance
I wouldn’t stake my entire fandom on a rental trade if I were you.
With loyalty like that I’m sure they’d be happy to hear it.
This guy has been trolling on these boards for awhile so he’s just looking for a reaction.
Gotcha
I highly doubt you have to worry about that. Starling is no better than the 2nd piece in a Cueto deal and that’s only if the headliner is a big name. Otherwise, he is the third piece.
lots of – thumbs..but i do agree. Bubba is a bust so far.
Well I surely hope he was…lol
Exactly what do you think a 2 month rental is worth? Cueto is a solid pitcher but the Reds are not going to the playoffs this year and can not afford to sign him this off season.. If they wanted to take most of a teams farm they should have traded him last year.. They could have gotten something similar to the Price or Samardzija deals.. Almonte would be who I would like to see them get.. Who knows Moore might be desperate and could have offered Finnegan.. Whatever they got it will be more than they would have had when spring training rolls around next year.. And if you say “They would have gotten a comp pick which would have been a sure fire #1 starter so they should have gotten the moon from KC!!” I am going to start agreeing with others and call you a troll..
Finnegan isnt really an overpay.ml ready sure but might never be a starter. Cueto is the best pitcher on the market unless price is made available.
I’d debate Cueto being the best pitcher on the market, though you can make that case. Cueto has had some elbow issues, and Hamels contract control might suit some teams much better. It’s not as simple as comparing ability. For example, Cueto would make little sense for Texas…but Hamels would
If a Price or Cueto isn’t worth a Finnegan, then prospects are way overvalued. The Royals took Finnegan last season in the hopes he’d be a college arm that got to the team quickly in a pennant race….it panned out gorgeously. But getting to the show and being a star are very different things of course. Maybe the Reds get a mid rotation starter out of Finnegan, maybe a back end piece. I’d say they get one of those.. And that’s about as much certainty as you’ll get from a prospect
You are probably right.. I am probably ignoring what he has done this year and letting his stretch run last year cloud my judgement..
I suppose you’re still around?
boom. I’d like to see O’Hearn in Cincy.
I guess you could say the Royals are all in for this season, huh?
Yes and why not! They got Bumgarnered last year or otherwise would have won it all, and pretty clearly have the best team in the AL this year. There is no better time to go for it!
Hopefully his arm doesn’t fall off in KC.
Just gotta hang on for 3 months. He can do that. Looked fantastic last night.
Bonifacio would be a nice start to a package for Reds.
I don’t think KC will deal from the majors. I expect it’s a couple top ten prospects plus one or two mid-levels. Cueto had a pretty heavy market after all.
Edit: Realized you may have meant Jorge Bonifacio. If so, apologies.
Doesn’t Emilio play for the White Sox?
Yep, I’m dumb. Whoops.
If Bryd or Bruce comes back to. ESPN isn’t reporting it yet. At the moment Hall of Fame is going on so going to have to wait intill they about it on air.
Careful…bet there are folks on here who think you’re talking about the Emilio variety
LMAO
I really like this move for KC as long as they didn’t give up a ton. They acquired an ace who can anchor their staff because if I’m being honest I don’t think a 1-2 punch of Volquez and Young would of held up in the playoffs.
Agreed.. Going from last year I don’t think Volquez and Young would have held up in September..
Guessing Manaea goes back to Reds.
Agreed. Manaea, Starling, and a mid-level is my guess. Maybe I’m far off, but that seems reasonable for a half season of Cueto with his market.
Is Manaea healthy enough? I could see him being the player that held up a potential deal yesterday after the medicals didn’t clear.
Great point. I was just assuming CIN was after pitching potential, but didn’t consider that. Perhaps Zimmer? I can’t imagine KC dealing Finnegan like some of these reports are suggesting.
Rumors are Zimmerman is the one that failed his physical and held up the trade last night, so wouldn’t figure he’s involved.
If it’s Finnegan+ the Reds made out like bandits.
Why? Finnegan isn’t even that great.
Why? He is a 5-11 LHP who had a good handful of innings down the stretch last season before struggling this year. Many think he is nothing better than a BP arm.
I think that’s what he was going for: “why? Finnegan isn’t even that great,” just with a misplaced question mark.
I’d say at 22 and just 12 minor league starts under his belt, it’s way too soon to know.
A top 20 draft pick of last years draft is nothing? Ignore his stint last year, he’s a major arm.
Also, please don’t mention height when talking about a baseball player – its a skill game and has nothing to do with body type – Bartolo Colon is 5’11” and obese.
Yes, that’s why MLB is full of 5’11” and 180 lbs pitchers. This isn’t something I just pulled out of the air. There are scouts who have concerns that he could struggle holding up to the rigors of starting at his size. I agree that he does have a major arm, but he still was considered no better than the #55 prospect entering the season and has struggled this year. He is a top 50-100 type of prospect and that is the type of return that headlines deals for rentals.
Yes, as a matter of fact, pitchers come in all shapes and sizes. All that “scouts concerns” about players heights are routinely proven wrong: its an “old school” thought that needs to go away, that pitchers “have” to be tall and thin.
Urias for the Dodgers is the same size.
Cueto himself is 5-11.
You know who else is 5’11”? Johnny Cueto.
Sonny Gray is also 5’11”. He has no future in the game.
I’m not sure who “many” are…but I’m not sure there are “many” who think he’s a BP arm. You can say he might not have a huge ceiling without being so extreme
They were gonna need an ace for the playoffs. I’m kind of surprised he was traded this far ahead of the deadline. But anyhow, good move for KC.
There is value in that one extra start
Unfortunately for the Royals not getting the trade done last night cost them a start, hopefully that doesn’t come back to bite them.
Finnegan is horrible. And he’s a reliever, not a starter. If he’s the main piece, Walt is even STUPIDER than I Thought!
So basically you’re not happy with anything is what the rest of us are getting.
Will you give it a rest already? You hate Walt we get it.
He’s a reliever because he was put in the bullpen for a playoff chase? Just like Adam Wainwright, Shelby Miller, Michael Wacha, and Carlos Martinez are all relievers.
Don’t forget David Price was in the bullpen when he first came up.
Don’t forget about Kershaw.
If he stays in KC he would probably join the rotation next year for Guthrie.
The #17 pick in last years draft is “horrible”. Makes sense.
Where’s the ejection seat for loonies?
He hasn’t been told yet because he hasn’t got to the ballpark for his teammates to inform him.
If only he had been checking mlb trade rumors
or checked the “tweets” on twitter.
Wow! If Cueto stays healthy as do the rest of the Royals.
I like their chances. No, in fact I love their chances.
They are really good and quite frankly, I am happy for them.
I wish them well.
It’s hard not to root for that team.
Wait what…i already have my KC Cueto jersey…how does Cueto not know yet?
Maybe Cueto will teach Ventura his kick moves
Yeah, that way he can defend himself if Sale ever catches up to him.. I was kinda hoping Ventura would pitch well enough to make the All Star team..
Congrats to Royals fans
Currently Robert Stephenson will come up soon and take Cuetos place. If we get Manea, Zimmer and another piece id be happy. Thats looking to the future!
Reds fans need to understand that teams don’t give away to prospect hauls for rental players in 2015. We need to have realistic expectations. A single top 50 prospect would be an amazing get for Cueto. 1-2 in the top 200 is more realistic.
Wow, I had forgotten John Lamb after he went from top 10 prospect to having terrible years but he is kicking major butt at AAA right now – KC probably should have just promoted him, ha.
Cueto is the most overrated pitcher in baseball, bar none. The Royals are stupid if they gave up anything more than a mid tier prospect
Lamb is a solid get for the Reds.. I hope that is accurate.. Cueto is gonna have one of the best ERA’s in the majors with that defense behind him..
If the Royals have the best defense … the Reds are right behind, specially in the infield. Not gonna make a big difference. On the other hand, the stadiums will make a huge difference.
good deal for the reds. whatever they get.
Watch baseball much?
If Manaea OR Ventura isn’t included in the deal, along with a Finnegan OR Lamb, I quit the Reds. Our window from 2010-2014 has passed and all we really needed was a big bat to push us over. It sucks to be a Reds fan sometimes.
Jordan and Ryan Zimmerman aren’t in deal.
The Nats are involved?
No,somebody said a Zimmerman that was holding it up no Zimmerman on Royals have Zimmer.
Once the details of this trade comes out, Detroit will have more info as to what they can get for Price. It will make it a bit easier to help in the buy/sell/hold decision making. It also takes a major SP chip off the table and leaves the contenders fighting for the best of the rest.
I am not sure if Cueto affects Price. Price was probably never an option for the Royals to begin with since the Tigers are only 4 games out of the Wildcard. So maybe they had to pay more to get Cueto since he was the only other dominating Pitcher on the market (discounting Hamels because of his contract).
You are right regarding KC, but what you said goes to the thinking of every other buyer in the market regarding Price
I was thinking two pitchers. Three now appears to be the price (no pun intended). Houston, Los Angeles, San Fran, and Toronto have been mentioned. Houston I discount because they already acquired Kazmir, so they are not as “in need” as the others. If the Tigers would truly offer a signing window to increase the return, I see Toronto as not being a fit, because most don’t wish to move to Canada. Los Angeles has the wherewithal to sign him. Deleon and Urias sounds good to me. Then they can ship Cespedes to the Mets for Montero and Dario Alvarez.
If it’s Manaea, Finnegan, and Lamb, this will be a good trade for the Reds.
It is more than confusing when the Reds manager is named PRICE.
Sidenote: I wonder if the PRICEtag coming to Detroit has gone up.
Also nothing from Dayton Moore or Ned Yost yet.
If so I hope the Price is Right.
Bryan Price is literally the stupidest person in baseball. Who does he think he’s fooling?
I can’t wait until MLBTR adds a ‘flag comment’ feature. Please cool down. Reactions and spirited debate are always fun here, but you’re all over the place with negativity.
He’s breaking the commenting code as is…There’s a bridge missing a resident troll about now
If its Finnegan&Lamb+ I will be happy.
Manaea, Finnegan, and Lamb seems like a good trade all around.
Looks like you’re happy!
Tigers fans should be rejoicing if it is TWO big pieces to the Reds, not one.
1. Sets them up to boost the “PRICEtag” return this year.
2. Makes their rival weaker next year. In 2016: Cueto gone. Prospects gone.
None of the guys under discussion would have played a serious role on the 2016 Royals.
I am not sure if I agree. With the way the Royals have cobbled together a serviceable rotation this year with a) losing Shields + b) Yordano’s inconsistency, at the least I think Lamb and/or Finnegan may have been in the mix for a roto spoit coming out of ST in 2016. Volquez and Chris Young have been total surprises (this coming from a Padres fan) and their success this year is not guaranteed next season. Sure, KC has Manaea, but parting with some combo of Lamb/Zimmer/Finnegan very well could impact next years’ club.
Actually lamb is more big league ready as a starter than finnegan. Ive seen him live, and the stuff is back. 95 with movement from the left side. Reds did well, royals are obviously going for it.
Not if the Royals win the WS. All I’ll be thinking is “they got it right on their second try and we went 4 straight years of deadline deals that didn’t get us anywhere near even one WS win.” I’ll also be thinking that even without those prospects, they won more WS games last season than we have in our last 5 playoff appearances combined.
Well you got pretty close in 2012, the only problem was that it was an even year
How do you know Cueto will be gone? Maybe he will like the KC barbecue and resign there. It’s not a foregone conclusion that he will be in Boston or NY in 2016. It might happen, but it might not.
Royals are going to need to spend if they want to keep Gordon…I just don’t see it as likely they go big on Gordon and a starter. Besides…KC BBQ is overrated….. Strike me down if ya want…but its a regional cuisine that KC likes to take credit for.
To each their own. I never strike anyone down for not liking something I like.
I appreciate the positive vibes!
I like some KC BBQ myself…just poking fun of course…I’m actually just glad to be talking about home in any way. Restaurant food is just never as good as the backyard.
I’m guessing the Royals are planning on signing Gordon. Does that mean they can’t go in on a big starter? No idea… Just doesn’t seem likely given their past. Even giving Gordon a big contract wouldn’t have much precident…but he’s a little like Mauer MN
Royals just don’t open their pocket book. They will claim that any playoff revenue went to raises, and then shop the bargain bin again. That they played well with Gordon out, gives them reason to not sign him and save the money. I am sure they will be able to afford Alfredo Simon for their rotation, to replace Cueto.
I do buy loyalty from the KC front office though..and Gordon is regionally local…as is Dayton Moore. I won’t say he stays without a doubt, but I’ll say he’s more likely than most
It’s kind of funny how deadline deals for stars rarely seem to be worth it – bet the Rangers wish they never traded for Garza and the Giants traded Zach Wheeler for a couple months of Beltran, and it’s always the under the radar guys who go nuts in the playoffs like Cody Ross for SF.
Well as a Giants fan, I can’t be too mad, we had an opportunity to go all in, and Saves went for it. Maybe we don’t regret it if Beltran never gets hurt.
Really does come down to the situation… Like with the Royals. Do they want to run Cueto out twice in a short series or Volquez-Young? Could be significant in a single game…but sure…generally a player doesn’t carry a team the way Sabathia did the Brewers
I hope the deal is Manaea, Finnegan, and Lamb. As a Reds fan I would be happy with that. (or Bubba Starling in place of Lamb).
KC announcers just said its final. Cueto and Cash for Finnegan, Lamb & Reed.
Very nice for Cincinnati
He’s going to Royals for 3 Pitchers.
Yikes. Seems like a nice haul for the Reds. Wonder what the Cubs will have to give up to get Price now.
Guess Kazmir doesn’t set the bar. Two nice rotation arms for Cincy possibly.
That is a really nice deal for the Reds.
wow that is a good haul for the reds but i wish my jays would give a few quality prospects for a couple good starters who aren’t 35+
I bet the comparable for Toronto was Norris, Reid-Folley and Jenkins, which I would of been fine with. As long as AA does something now!
Excellent haul for Cincy, KC gets a big game ace rental for a very winnable year. Like it from both sides.
Cody Reed is a big ol’ lefty reliever as well. If you can’t land one top end arm…that’s a B+, B, and maybe another B bullpen arm
That’s all they got? Wow.
Reds got quite a bit if Lamb is fully recovered from TJ surgery.
Lamb is having an excellent year at AAA right now, he might even go straight to the Reds rotation.
He is, hes back to throwing 95 with 2 solid secondaries.
Yeah, KC should have gotten Price or Hamels for that prospect haul. Cueto’s a nice piece though 😉
Maybe…but if I’m Philadelphia I might want maybe one top of the rotation piece for Hamels. I’m not sure Finnegan and Lamb are that….maybe a 3-4 in the rotation with a big lefty bullpen arm in Reed. Nothing to sneeze at…easy to project all three new Reds arms as contributors. I’m just not sure Hamels is in the same scenario. Cincy just received 3 above average arms…maybe not a single one lights out…but this deal will pay off for them
You should probably re-examine your elite SP stats. Cueto’s easily the equal of Price or Hamels. Better than Hamels, in fact. Right up there with Price and Greinke et al, just a half step behind Scherzer, Kershaw, and Felix. He’s phenomenal.
I thought the use of an emoji was enough to show that I was joking. OP wrote “thats all they got?” referring to the haul Cincy got, but didn’t say which team.
Reds got hosed lol. And their fans kept thinking they were getting Seager for him.
You mean the kids who ran to Barnes and Noble picked up a BA prospect handbook and started playing fantasy baseball in their minds?
That is so far off base…
Uhh, this is a really nice prospect haul. I’m not a Reds fan but if I was I’d be happy with this. While Seager isn’t getting traded for a rental, the Reds absolutely in no way, shape or form “got hosed”.
Finnegan, Lamb and Reed make for an impressive and fair haul for Cueto. Walt Jocketty made a good deal, as did the Royals. Excellent baseball trade.
I think you have it a little backwards. It’s 15 games started for Cody Reed and 3 relief appearances
That’s the wrong Cody Reed linked.
I’d say a pretty good haul for the Reds. The Royals gave up quite a bit for a guy who is going to make around a dozen regular season starts. However, inserting Cueto into their rotation definitely puts them over the top and gives them a better chance for that championship run this year.
They didn’t get him for the dozen regular season starts. They got him for the 6 or 7 possible postseason starts.
No elite prospects and arguably not even any 2nd-tier (~#30-60) prospects. The Reds should have gone all-in on selling last offseason instead of selling halfway (Latos and Simon). I’m pretty sure people would have still gone to the All-Star Game if the Reds were really bad instead of just bad.
You don’t get #1 prospects for a rental. Don’t care who the rental is. This is a great return for two months plus playoffs.
They got the #17 pick in last years draft for a rental. That is a move every team makes.
Also got the 2nd rd pick from 2013
How do the Royals get cueto without giving up Mondesi, Manaea, Zimmer, or Almonte?
Trading with an inept GM, that’s how.
Awful trade.
The Reds could have gotten Jesus Christ and Santa Clause in return and you still would have found a reason to be upset about it.
Santa Claus has 80 speed and an 80 arm. Jesus is more of a project.
Just think what Santa’s speed would rate If he dropped some weight! He’d be 100 on an 80 scale. Like Rickey Henderson shot from a cannon
Not sure that either of those two can pitch. They also would not like the uniform code since they are always seen in the same outfits.
Royals were going to deal Santa to the Yankees but he refused to cut his beard to meet their dresscode
A top 50-60 prospect and two live arms is right about the same thing that the Angels spent to acquire Zack Greinke from the Brewers in 2012. A reasonable comparison.
If this deal were to pan out 100% for the Reds…they would get 2 #2 starters and a possible lefty closer. Of course…that’s not probable
Link to the wrong Cody Reed.
I am not a Roylas neither I am a Reds fan, Looking from the outside it sure seem like that the Royals have giveaway too much for a guy who will be a free agent at the end of the season. This is not a knock on Johnny Cueto who is an outstanding pitcher.
I believe the Royals gave up pieces that could be replenished… Guys with mid rotation upside. I actually believe it was a good baseball trade. In lieu of one #1 coming back the Reds likely got above average depth.
Better to have him than to not have him. The field is wide open for the AL and where would they be if say, the Twins got him? Replacing Vargas with Cueto is a huge upgrade.
So the Reds just traded for the guy who blew the World Series for the Royals last year? Come on now!
The Reds got Madison Bumgarner too! Sweet!
The best part about this deal is the elimination of the QO attached to Cueto in free agency.
This precisely is why the Reds should have traded Cueto in the offseason. They would have gotten a lot more for him because the acquiring team would have been able to extend him a QO after the season.
Not sure it effects Cueto… Kazmir possibly, but a team would pitch the comp pick for Cueto
Reds did well in this one. Whether you like him or not Finnegan is a good piece to get for a rental