MLB Trade Rumors: NY Yankees Pursuing Starting Pitchers, Eyeing Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija?
The New York Yankees are eyeing Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman stated on Wednesday that no one on the team is "untouchable," which means that anyone can be traded if the Yankees want Cueto bad enough. FOX Sports, however, reported that the Kansas City Royals might "have the biggest need to acquire" him.
Cueto is making $10 million this season and will become a free agent at the end. He is currently 6-6 with a 2.79 ERA. Other teams that are interested in the 29-year-old include the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros.
All of these teams would like to add an ace as they contend for the playoffs. The Yankee, the Royals and the Dodgers are all leading their divisions, where as the Blue Jays and the Astros are only a few games behind.
Heyman wrote:
"The Dodgers, Blue Jays, Astros and Royals, though, have rotational needs that range from vital to near-desperation, in a couple cases. Toronto and Houston have been eyeing the market for weeks, while Los Angeles and Kansas City, already interested, each suffered a pitching injury Tuesday night, with Brett Anderson (Achilles) and Jason Vargas (elbow) suffering physical issues, exacerbating an existing need...No need to worry too much, though. Some very good-to-excellent starters may be about to hit the market."
The Yankees, whose lefty ace C.C. Sabathia has not looked the same all season, are also reportedly interested in Chicago White Sox Jeff Samardzija. The 30-year-old righty is 6-5 with a 4.08 ERA.
Other starting pitchers that could be traded before the deadline are David Price, Cole Hamels, Mike Leake, Scott Kazmir, Dan Haren, Mat Latos, Tom Koehler, Yovani Gallardo, Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross, Alfredo Simon, Matt Garza and James Shields.
"There's a lot of moving parts," an executive from a pitching-interested team said.
The 2015 MLB trade deadline is July 31.
