Johnny Cueto Reportedly Traded to Kansas City Royals

As the Cincinnati Reds nosedived out of playoff contention, teams inquired about trading for their stars. The top name on most lists was ace Johnny Cueto, who has been linked to several squads, including the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. It now appears Cueto will join the Royals.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan and ESPN's Jim Bowden reported the Reds have agreed to trade Cueto to the Royals.

Saturday, Rosenthal reported the Reds and Royals had a deal in place for Cueto, but one of the players involved didn't check out medically. 

Bowden reported on Thursday the Royals (and Blue Jays) were "all in on Cueto" and willing to move a top prospect to have the pitcher for the short term.

After Cueto failed to earn a spot on the All-Star team, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported on July 17 that the Reds were "prepared to trade" him. Morosi had reported on July 19 the "Reds did not want to trade Cueto last month and watch him pitch [the All-Star Game in Cincinnati] for another club." 

Kansas City has been linked to Cueto for over a month now. On Saturday, Morosi reported the Royals' push to improve their World Series chances via trade included the possibility of adding Cueto and fellow Reds starter Mike Leake. 

Kansas City has been one of many teams linked to Cueto. Passan reported on July 23 the Blue Jays are "in serious pursuit" of a starting pitcher and pushing hard to acquire one, which Bowden supported.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported on July 13 the Houston Astros were "keen" on Cueto, and was potentially their top target at the trade deadline. 

Morosi reported the Baltimore Orioles expressed interest in Cueto on July 20. He also noted the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers were closely monitoring Cueto's start on July 19 against the Cleveland Indians, which saw him walk six batters, surrender two runs on four hits and strike out two hitters in just four innings pitched. 

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.