Cueto, sole bright spot, could be trade target
ATLANTA — As the Giants enter the summer months and approach the trade deadline, they’ll be making decisions they haven’t made in a long time — at least since they started their run of three championships in five years.
Among them: whether to unload veteran core players, including Johnny Cueto.
Among the scouts in attendance for Monday’s series opener at the new SunTrust Park, won by the Braves 9-0, were those focusing on Cueto, who pitched well over seven innings and can opt out of his contract after this season.
It wasn’t the first Cueto start that other teams monitored. He could be a valuable addition to a contender looking to make a splash in October, and the question needs to be asked: How much longer will Cueto remain a Giant?
“I’m not thinking about going anywhere,” Cueto said Monday night when asked about trade speculation. “My mind is just pitching and getting ready for the game and helping the team win. I said in the past I like it here, and I like the fans.”
In dropping seven straight games and 16 of 20, the Giants show no signs of turning around their season, and it’s questionable whether they’ll bounce back in 2018 either. Cueto might have a better chance of playing for a winner if he declares for free agency.
If the Giants believe they’d lose the 31-year-old pitcher, moving his large contract before the July 31 trade deadline seems logical, especially because of how they’ve been exposed and the number of holes they need to fill.
For any team failing to reach expectations, roster turnover can be the next step. “Obviously,” Giants catcher Buster Posey said, “everybody knows that’s a possibility.”
With Cueto in particular? “With anybody,” Posey said. “Honestly, I’m more concerned about trying to win a game.”
Posey seemed convinced the Giants can consistently win. This after they managed just three hits in seven innings against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who entered with a 5.35 ERA but retired 16 of his final 17 batters.
“You have to be realistic that we’re in a bad hole right now,” Posey said, “but at the same time we’ve got a lot of games to play. I keep saying tomorrow will be the day we turn it around, but it’s got to be small, little baby steps.”
Cueto echoed Posey’s thoughts that much of the schedule remains and said, “I know there is a winning streak there somewhere, and I just feel sad the way the season is going.”
In one of his best starts of the year, Cueto gave up two runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked none. He said he pitched to batters more aggressively after looking at video of his 2016 season. With a 5-7 record and 4.42 ERA, Cueto isn’t what he was last season, when he went 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA and started the All-Star Game. But he looked sharp Monday, and surely other teams noticed.
“You saw Johnny Cueto pitching today,” he said.
Cueto gave up Ender Inciarte’s RBI double and Matt Adams’ homer and exited trailing 2-0, but the bullpen let the game get away. The Braves scored seven runs off Josh Osich and Derek Law.
Cueto has four years and $84 million remaining on his contract. If he’s traded, he could be nothing more than a two-month rental, so his value wouldn’t be as great as if teams knew they could have him in 2018. The Giants might not get prized prospects in return, but perhaps they could get upgrades somewhere.
The Yankees and Cubs have been mentioned among teams seeking a starter. Until further notice, Cueto will wear orange and black. But for how long?