Reds trade ace Cueto

The Reds have traded ace pitcher Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals.

In return for Cueto, the Reds receive left-handed pitchers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed. Finnegan, Kansas City’s No. 4 prospect, is 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA this season out of the bullpen. Lamb is at Triple-A and Reed at Double-A.

Cueto, who will be a free agent after the season, is 7-6 with a 2.52 this season, including an eight-inning gem (no runs, four hits) in Saturday night’s win over the Rockies.

Cueto, 29, is in his eighth MLB season, all with the Reds. His best season came last year when he finished 20-9 with a 2.25 ERA and finished second in the Cy Young voting.

Cueto was 92-63 with a 3.21 in his career with the Reds.

The trade was announced via the Reds on Twitter this afternoon.