Chicago Cubs: Is Johnny Cueto a practical trade possibility?

An in-depth look at Johnny Cueto – World Series champion, past All-Star and Cy Young finalist – potentially rockin’ Chicago Cubs Blue.

One of the more intriguing trade deadline pitching possibilities for the Chicago Cubs includes San Francisco Giants’ ace Johnny Cueto.

Making his MLB debut in 2008, the former longtime Cincinnati Red put up big seasons including 20 wins in 2014, leading the NL in innings pitched (243 2/3) and games started (34).

Cueto has been a top 10 Cy Young finalist, including two top-five finishes, and won a World Series title during his 2015 stopover with the Kansas City Royals. He’s coming off a successful first season with the Giants, winning 18 games and going toe-to-toe with Jon Lester in last year’s NLDS Game 1.

As the Giants’ 2017 season stalls, mired in its worst stretch in years, it’s increasingly likely the club waives the white flag to sell veterans as the trade deadline approaches.

Cueto, in particular, is among the top candidates to be moved, and recent reports indicated he plans to opt-out of his six-year contract signed just prior to the 2016 season.

That ensures it would likely be in the Giants’ best interest to move Cueto, however, questions loom:

1. Would teams be willing to trade for a potential rental?
2. Would pending trade agreements revolve around Cueto agreeing not to opt-out, or agreeing to new terms following the 2017 season? 

We recently posed the hypothetical of Cueto on the North Side. Now we take an in-depth look at how Cueto could be a fit for the Chicago Cubs.