Royals Rumors: Potential starting pitchers on market for 2017 deadline

JOHNNY CUETO (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS)

6-7 record, 4.51 ERA, 1.370 WHIP (Free agent in 2022)

Here’s a name that Royals fan will recognize: It’s Johnny Cueto! That’s right, the same Johnny Cueto who helped the Royals win a World Series in 2015! He’s available on the trade market this deadline!

Cueto is an interesting case because he can opt out of his current contract that he has with the Giants, so he’d probably be a rental player for whoever trades for him. The Royals have been down that road with Cueto before, and it turned out okay.

The difference with the Kansas City Royals trading for Cueto in 2015 was that they were definitely going to the postseason that year.

Cueto isn’t having a good season this year, but we’ve seen just how good the guy can be in the most clutch of situations. He’ll be a popular name floating out there for Royals fans, but I urge you not to get your hopes up.

The difference with the Kansas City Royals trading for Cueto in 2015 was that they were definitely going to the postseason that year. This season is different. The Royals haven’t led their division at all this season and only spent a short amount of time in the Wild Card spot. They aren’t going to give up three more pitchers for Cueto again because they simply can’t afford to do that.

Sorry if this hurts all of you, but it’s true. Cueto won’t be having a reunion in Kansas City… at least not as a member of the Royals.