Johnny Cueto

Morosi: Reds prepared to trade right-handers Cueto, Leake

Published Jul. 17, 2015 10:40 a.m. ET

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The Cincinnati Reds are ready to sell, FOX Sports Insider Jon Paul Morosi reports.

#Reds are prepared to trade prospective free agents Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake now that All-Star Game is over, sources say. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 17, 2015

Right-hander Johnny Cueto is 6-6 with a 2.73 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 118 2/3 innings (17 starts) this season. He was an All-Star last season, when he finished second in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

In 19 starts this season, right-hander Mike Leake is 7-5 with a 3.95 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings.

"I don't think about being traded when I'm on the mound," Leake said after beating Cleveland 6-1 on Friday. "I'm just trying to give these guys all I've got like I have for six years. It is more of a motivator."

Great American Ball Park made plenty of positive headlines this past week when it hosted the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, but the Reds have been unable to create the same excitement.

At 40-47, Cincinnati is 15½ games behind the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals and 6½ games out in the NL wild-card race.

"It is more likely that I'll be traded than stay," Leake said. "It (stinks) that we've had the season we did but if I am traded, I'm eager to pitch for a winner."

FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports Reds closer Aroldis Chapman and left fielder Marlon Byrd are also trade candidates, while right fielder Jay Bruce also has been mentioned in recent trade rumors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.