Report: Yankees Keeping Tabs On Free Agent-To-Be Right-Hander Johnny Cueto
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- File this one away for a later date.
On the surface, it doesn't look like the Yankees need a starting pitcher, but it appears they are at least entertaining the idea of adding one by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
According to a report in the New York Post, the Yankees recently sent a scout to watch Cincinnati Reds right-handers Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake. Both are scheduled to be free agents at the end of the season and would seem to be the perfect candidates for teams to target as they try to bolster their rotations for the stretch run.
The Yankees, apparently, are no exception.
As soon as Ivan Nova rejoins the team following his year-plus recovery from Tommy John surgery, which could happen late this week following his final minor league rehab start, the Yankees will have too many starters. Considering they are currently trying to find a bridge to fill-in closer Dellin Betances while Andrew Miller spends time on the 15-day disabled list due to a forearm strain, the Bombers could move Adam Warren back into the bullpen.
That would leave the Yankees with a rotation of Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia, Nathan Eovaldi and Nova. The problem is, short of Pineda, there are concerns about all of them. Tanaka is still pitching with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and Sabathia has been more miss than hit as he continues his transition from being the game's premier power left-hander to a finesse pitcher. Eovaldi appears to have the weapons, but remains a work in progress due to his inexperience and it would be hard to expect a lot from Nova considering his long layoff.
All that said, it would make sense for the Yankees, who entered play on Monday tied for first place in the AL East, to be at least considering the idea of reinforcements.
Enter, potentially, Cueto and/or Leake.
Known for his two- and four-seam fastballs that reaches the mid-90s, plus a very good cutter, slider and changeup, Cueto has pitched like a front-end starter for the Reds over the last seven-plus seasons, including winning 19 games in 2012 and 20 last season. Overall, the 29-year-old right-hander is 89-61 with a 3.24 ERA in 206 career starts.
Cueto, who making $15 million this season, is only 4-4 so far in 2015, but is pitching to a 2.85 ERA, with 82 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 85 1/3 innings. He would be considered one of the top three of four starters available on the open market.
Throw Cueto in with a presumably healthy Tanaka and Pineda and the Yankees would be able to go toe-to-toe on the mound against any team they would face in the AL playoffs, assuming they get there.
Leake, characterized as a No. 4 starter in the AL by one scout who spoke to the Post, is 3-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 13 games this season. The 27-year-old righty, who is making just a shade less than $10 million this season, is 56-46 record with a 3.95 ERA over six-plus seasons, all with Cincinnati.
The Yankees would likely not be interested in parting with top pitching prospect Luis Severino or outfielder Aaron Judge for any player that is potentially a rental, but would consider moving youngsters like outfielders Ramon Flores and Mason Williams and pitcher Bryan Mitchell in the right deal, the Post reported.
The Yankees open a quick two-game series in Miami on Monday before returning home to face the Marlins on Wednesday and Thursday.