MLB Insider reports expressed interest in a reunion with Johnny Cueto

There appears to be some real traction with these latest Reds rumours. Might the Cincinnati faithful really see a reunion between the Reds and former pitcher Johnny Cueto?

According to MLB Insider Jon Morosi, there is genuine interest, on the Reds’ side of things anyway, in signing the free agent pitcher. Cueto spent last season with the Chicago White Sox and posted an ERA of 3.35 over 158.1 innings of work.

The Cincinnati Reds are in need of pitching depth. While Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft look to lead the charge into the future, a veteran like Cueto would be a terrific addition to the Reds’ starting rotation.

Johnny Cueto debuted with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008 and spent eight seasons in the Queen City before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2015. Cueto went to the All-Star Game in 2014 and finished in the Top 5 of the NL Cy Young voting twice during his Reds’ tenure.

Cueto helped the Royals win the World Series Championship in 2015 and then signed a massive free agent deal (six-years/$130M) with the San Francisco Giants the following offseason.

There are some fans throughout Reds Country who’d be thrilled to see Johnny Cueto return. Despite being 37 years old, Cueto proved in 2022 that he still had plenty left in the tank. Cueto appeared in 5 games last season, the most since 2017 with the Giants.

But, other Reds fans would prefer to see the organization embrace the rebuild 100% and go with a rotation of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft, and perhaps a combination of Justin Dunn, Brandon Williamson, Connor Overton, or Levi Stoudt.

These latest Reds rumors, however they turn out, are likely a sign that Nick Krall and the Cincinnati front office are at least kicking the tires on adding a veteran starting pitcher to the rotation.