Yankees Daily Trade Deadline Profile: Johnny Cueto

MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline is July 31st. As the New York Yankees appear to be in playoff contention, every day this month we will take a look at a player who could be involved in the Yankees’ deadline activity. These players will either be current Yankees who could be traded away or players from other organizations who New York could look to acquire for the playoff push.

The New York Yankees could use starting pitching help. However, with a few top pitching prospects working their way through the system, the Yankees may be better off with a rental arm at the trade deadline.

SP Johnny Cueto, San Francisco Giants, Buy

There are a few rental arms who could be on the trade market with varying price tags.

Yesterday we took a look at Jeremy Hellickson who, for reasons we covered, could be on the cheaper side.

Johnny Cueto could be a little pricier in terms of prospects, but he’s a bigger name who could satisfy New York fans.

At 34-54, the San Francisco Giants are in serious need of a rebuild at the trade deadline.

Cueto would likely be the first to go after it was reported that he is expected to opt out of his contract after this season.

Cueto has struggled a bit this year. The right-hander is 6-7 with 4.26 ERA.

Injuries could be to blame for Cueto’s struggles, however, as he has dealt with blisters and, most recently, an ear infection.

Just last year, Cueto was 18-5 with an ERA of 2.79, resulting in a sixth place finish in the NL Cy Young race.

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Perhaps good health and a change of scenery could get Cueto back on track.

With the Yankees’ recent struggles, it’s a chance worth taking.

The Giants’ farm system ranks just 25th on Bleacher Report’s post-2017 MLB Draft rankings and they could really use an infusion of talent.

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede is the top prospect in San Francisco’s system according to MLB.com. However, he only ranks as the 74th-best prospect in all of baseball.

The Yankees’ farm system has the talent that the Giants need and they have lots of it.

Jorge Mateo is the Yankees’ fourth-best prospect but is 37th on MLB.com‘s list of the top prospects in all of baseball. The speedy shortstop would instantly become San Francisco’s top prospect.

Throw in a pitching prospect such as Drew Finley, the Yankees’ 21st-best prospect, and Cueto could end up in pinstripes.

Next: Yankees Daily Trade Deadline Profile: Jeremy Hellickson

The Yankees need to find a way to get out of this rut.

When healthy, their offense should be in good shape. Their pitching, on the other hand, could use some reinforcements. It was, after all, the Yankees’ biggest issue coming into the season.

After another bullpen meltdown on Friday night, our next profile will be a player who could give the Yanks some bullpen help.