The Royals sent left-handers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed to the Reds for Cueto, who won 20 games last season and will move to the top of Kansas City’s rotation.
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The deal was announced before the Reds were pounded 17-7 by the Rockies in the rubber game of their series.
Finnegan was a first round pick, while Hardball Talk reports that Reed was a second round pick and Lamb is a “former top prospect”.
Was Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto almost a Royal Saturday night?
Reds manager Bryan Price indicated Saturday that the trade was close to happening. “We have to be professional and do our best”. “We wanted that will put one of the best package we would when in front of [Reds general manager] Walt [Jocketty]”.
He is in his eighth big league season and has a 92-63 career record with a 3.21 ERA.
The numbers for Cueto have been impressive for a woeful team like the Reds and the Royals will get his services for the next 2.5+ months. “I’m very thankful to my teammates, my fans and my coaching staff. It’s a very emotional time for me”.
“I understand it’s part of the business”. But, for it to actually happen to someone I’ve personally known for 11 years now and just poof he’s gone.
“I feel much better”, Cueto said. Wilson and Jered Weaver have become question marks and the team will rely heavily on them to go out and pitch a competitive game. Cueto’s old Cincy rotation-mate, Edinson Volquez, probably goes Game 2, but his defense-independent numbers suggest he hasn’t been as good as his 3.15 ERA might indicate.
–Colorado Rockies right-hander Brooks Brown (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to throw 25 pitches and face hitters Monday at Triple-A Albuquerque and then make three rehab appearances for that team, starting Thursday.
The Royals have had their eye on winning the World Series since about five minutes after losing a 3-2 heartbreaker to the visiting San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of last year’s Fall Classic. More concerning is their starters are 29th in innings pitched at 537.
“Finnegan was the key guy for us”, Jocketty said. They upgraded at third by adding Aramis Ramirez and with days left before the deadline the team could get even better.
The team intended to develop him as a starter, but Finnegan shined during a limited role as a reliever. There are times we’ve got to concern ourselves with ‘what if?’ There’s a protocol. Following subpar performances in his first two minor league seasons, the 22-year-old has had a breakout season, posting a 2.53 ERA and 1.19 WHIP between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Since the beginning of the previous season, Cueto has worked 374 1/3 innings.
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Since the start of 2011, Cueto’s 2.51 ERA is the second-lowest among Major League pitchers, trailing only Clayton Kershaw (2.16). He has pitched a combined 96 innings this season with 26 walks, 84 strikeouts and 88 hits allowed.
