Johnny Cueto has put an Opening Day deadline on any contract extension talks with the Cincinnati Reds. Cueto's agent, Bryce Dixon, has also said that his client's comps should start with Jon Lester (six years, $155 million) and end near Max Scherzer (TBD, but more than Lester).
When you look at the numbers, the comps are fair but likely out of the Reds' range. That makes exploring a trade for Johnny Cueto the next logical step.
It was an incredible year for the 28-year-old right-hander, who set career bests in wins (20), starts (34), innings pitched (243.2), strikeouts (242), WHIP (0.96), H/9 (6.2), K/9 (8.9) and ERA (2.25). The Reds picked up Cueto's 2015 team option at a modest $10 million.
True MLB aces are difficult to acquire because so few exist and even fewer are available. The Reds are unlikely to contend for a postseason spot next year, and with Cueto's demands on the rise the time to move him is now.
There are no shortage of win-now teams that could quickly become division favorites by adding just a singular piece in Johnny Cueto.
In the American League, the Blue Jays, Mariners, Angels, Red Sox, Orioles, White Sox and Tigers all fit this profile. The Mariners, with James Paxton or Taijuan Walker, have the centerpieces to make a deal happen. The Blue Jays could also get a deal done surrounded by Marcus Stroman or Aaron Sanchez. The others might not have the type of prospects Cincinnati would be looking for in return, or at least they're probably not willing to move them.
On the National League side, the Cardinals, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Padres are teams that would love to acquire Cueto. The Cardinals match up well with a piece like Marco Gonzalez or Carlos Martinez. The Dodgers could float Joc Pederson, who hit 33 home runs to go with a .435 OBP last season in Triple-A. And the Padres, despite all their moves, still have top prospects Austin Hedges, Hunter Renfroe and Matt Wisler to deal.
Cueto is a Reds lifer and moving him is not an easy decision for GM Walt Jocketty. If he decides to do so, his options will be plentiful. Whether they want to admit it or not, the Reds are in rebuilding mode. A need for an ace for one more season doesn't exist.
