Johnny Cueto finished second in the National League Cy Young voting last season behind only Clayton Kershaw and he's slated to hit the free agent market after 2015. If the Boston Red Sox are still looking for a top-tier starter, Cueto could be their man.
The right-hander told his current team, the Cincinnati Reds, that he would be willing to negotiate a contract extension until Opening Day before he would cut off talks to focus on the season. Cueto told C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he "never heard anything from" the Reds in regards to a new deal.
There hasn't been any official report of such discussions being called off, but assuming Cueto and his agent will stick to their word, the team could look to explore trades for the right-hander if they aren't contending come July. Instead of letting Cueto walk after the season - considering the Reds probably won't be able to afford him given the new lucrative market for elite starting pitchers - general manager Walt Jocketty would likely rather get value for him if they fall behind again in the NL Central.
Former general manager and now ESPN Insider Jim Bowden believes that will be the case.
In his 10 bold predictions for 2015, he writes:
"Johnny Cueto will be traded to the Red Sox a week after Hamels is dealt to Yankees.
"I predict the Red Sox will then respond like we're used to in the Yankees-Red Sox front-office rivalry and put a strong prospect package together to land Cueto from the Reds (as long as he doesn't sign an extension in the meantime). The package will not include Betts or Swihart but instead be centered on pitchers Henry Owens and Matt Barnes. The deal won't happen until after the Reds have hosted the 2015 All Star Game at Great American Ball Park."
Boston has been unwilling to surrender outfielder Mookie Betts or prospect catcher Blake Swihart in a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies for Cole Hamels, which has (apparently) significantly hampered trade talks between the two clubs. Hamels is guaranteed $96 million over the next four seasons and the Phillies' demands have suggested they want top prospects as well as full financial relief from the left-hander's deal.
Furthermore, Cueto will become a free agent and perhaps Boston can pull some of their negotiating magic to retain him if they were to acquire him in a deal before the deadline. The Red Sox traded outfielder Yoenis Cespedes for starter Rick Porcello (who was set to become a free agent after this season) during the offseason and managed to coax the right-hander into signing a four-year, $82.5 million extension earlier this week.
Might general manager Ben Cherington have the same plan in mind for Cueto?
