CUETO TO KC FOR TALENTED LEFTY TRIO
The Kansas City Royals acquired pitcher Johnny Cueto and cash from the Cincinnati Reds for pitchers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed.
What does it give the Kansas City Royals
Clearly the AL-leading Royals are making a push to get back to the World Series, and Cueto can help them do it. He provides the young club with a true ace, someone who can not only win games down the stretch this season but also in the playoffs. Cueto is probably one of the five most dominant starting pitchers in baseball, so the Royals should now probably be seen as favorites in the American League. Kansas City gives up a lot here for a player who may leave via free agency in the off-season, but Cueto will help the Royals win this year.
What does it give the Cincinnati Reds
Cincy gets an impressive haul for Cueto. All three of Finnegan, Lamb and Reed are talented young lefty starters who project as possible rotation regulars in the not-too-distant future. The gem of the deal is Finnegan, who has ace potential. Meanwhile, Lamb is a longtime prospect with good stuff who is finally putting it all together this season at Triple-A and Reed is a quality southpaw hurler enjoying a strong season in the mid-minors.
Fantasy impact
Cueto is Cueto: an elite fantasy option whose stock just improved thanks to this move to a winning team. On the Reds side of the equation, both Finnegan and Lamb might be worth keeping an eye on as potential high-K sleepers down the stretch this season (since both might see starts for Cincy the rest of the way). Reed is more of a long-term sleeper for keeper leagues, but is nonetheless radar-worthy.
