The Cincinnati Reds are enjoying a fine season from ace right-hander Johnny Cueto, but his success is likely to mean a contract approaching or passing $200 million this offseason. Cueto’s agent Bryce Dixon said the Reds haven’t said they plan on trading him, but “reading the tea leaves” indicates it is likely.
“[The Reds] made no indications to Johnny that they want to trade him. But reading the tea leaves, if they fall out of contention it seems to make sense from their end because if they ride the season out with him and don’t make the playoffs, then they’re stuck with a compensation pick. And from where I sit, I think they can probably get more than that on the trade market,” Dixon said.
Cueto is 3-4 this season with a 2.90 ERA and a sparkling 0.90 WHIP. He has been victimized by poor run support this year after winning 20 games in 2014, but Dixon said he would like to remain with the Reds.
“He’d love to stay in Cincinnati if that works out, but obviously he’s pitched so well that he’s going to command such a high price that he might have priced himself out of a market like Cincinnati,” Dixon said.
There is already buzz about a number of teams interested in Cueto’s services. According to reports, scouts for the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays attended a recent start vs. the San Francisco Giants, and the first-place Houston Astros are also sniffing for rotation help alongside Dallas Keuchel.
His impending free agency could limit certain clubs, unless they are willing to go the Oakland A’s route of ponying up for a one-time run and living with the compensation pick when he leaves.
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