Atlanta Braves Trade Targets: Veteran SP Johnny Cueto

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is looming for the 2020 season, and like most teams, the Atlanta Braves are mulling their options. This year, the need is starting pitching.

One possible trade candidate for the Atlanta Braves comes in the form of a veteran with a long and proven track record of success- Johnny Cueto. Now with the San Francisco Giants, Cueto was once a dominant starter for the Cincinnati Reds, and had a six-year stretch from 2011-2016 that stacks up to nearly any pitcher’s performance during that timeframe. He won a ring with Kansas City in 2015, to boot.

Here’s a recap of his three best seasons:

2012: 19-9, 2.78 ERA, 217 IP, 170 strikeouts (Reds)

2014: 20-9, 2.25 ERA, 243.1 IP, 242 strikeouts (Reds)

2016: 18-5, 2.79 ERA, 219.2 IP, 198 strikeouts (Giants)

Needless to say, that isn’t the pitcher that the Atlanta Braves would be acquiring, but many may not have remembered exactly how good Cueto was at his peak.

With a the ‘what have you done for me lately’ mindset in pro sports, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Cueto was pretty pedestrian in 2017- 8-8 with a 4.52 ERA, making only 25 starts. In 2018 and 2019, he battled injuries, including Tommy John surgery and made 13 starts over those two seasons.

However, during the 2020 season, he appears to be healthy, having made seven starts and donning a 2-0 record. He’s been hit around a bit and struggled a bit with his control (13 walks in 35 innings) but has struck out 33 batters.

The challenge in acquiring Cueto would be twofold.

First, the Giants are still within striking distance of contention. Their president of baseball operations, Farhan Zaidi has publicly said he wouldn’t want to take a team apart that could make a run. While they don’t figure to have great odds, a case could be made for them having a chance.

Secondly, Cueto is making 21 million this season and next, then has a club option for 2022 with a 5 million dollar buyout. So, finances in this deal would have to be right for the Atlanta Braves to make a move. Likely, the Giants would only move Cueto if the Atlanta Braves were willing to take on a portion of his salary or pay up in prospects to keep the money on the Giants’ payroll.

However, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle acknowledges he could be a target for many teams.

Beyond that, on the Atlanta Braves side of the coin, acquiring a starter that will be under team control next season at age 35 doesn’t exactly follow the blueprint. However, the experience he brings to the table would be an asset. Additionally, Cueto would provide another mentor to the litany of young pitchers currently being tried by fire in the major leagues.

Perhaps a younger option, like Detroit Tigers hurler Spencer Turnbull would fit more into the mold, but there’s no denying that if the deal was right, Cueto could add something special to the Atlanta Braves equation down the stretch and in the postseason.