The defending American League champion Kansas City Royals have done quite well this year. They sit in first place in the AL Central with a 46-33 record despite not having their best pitcher from last season, James Shields.

But, there is always work to be done.

Many MLB experts on ESPN believe the Royals have a fantastic trade partner in the Cincinnati Reds, possibly for ace pitcher Johnny Cueto. Cueto is a terrific pitcher, just 29 years old, capable of huge strikeout rates year in and year out, and he routinely puts up some of the best pitching statistics. Why would the Reds give up their best pitcher (and player) before the trade deadline?

There are a few reasons. One, Cueto is in the final year of his contract. If the Reds don't ship him now and get value, he could walk as a free agent after this season. Cueto expressed his desire to get a contract extension before the season began, but that obviously didn't happen. Bridge burned? Two, the Reds have so many more issues to fix. The Reds rank in the bottom 10 in both runs scored and runs allowed this season. As good as Cueto is, he can't offset the Reds deficiencies.

Reports have also indicated that the Royals are not only interested in Cueto, but possibly even Mike Leake. Leake, like Cueto, is in the final year of his contract as well. Leake will cost far less going forward when compared to Cueto, but obviously the production won't be nearly as high. Leake and Cueto each have five wins this year for the Reds.

A Royals-Reds trade would work for both teams because they each play in separate leagues, and they don't play each other very often. The Royals still do have a good pitching staff led by Dominican right-hander Edinson Volquez. But in order to capture a World Series, they may have to bring Cueto on board.

Speaking of AL teams, the New York Yankees have shown interest in the 29-year-old ace as well.

According to the New York Post, the Bronx Bombers have been sending scouts to watch Cueto and Leake perform this year. Many MLB experts think the Yankees could and will make a trade with the Reds this year before the trade deadline to acquire another pitcher.

On paper this makes perfect sense for the Yankees. They rank 20th in team ERA, but they have the offense to compete. C.C. Sabathia is playing the worst baseball of his career, and Masahiro Tanaka is still battling elbow inflammation. The Yankees two big name starting pitchers, Tanaka and Sabathia, are a combined 7-11 on the mound this season. Just like the Royals, the Yankees best pitcher (Michael Pineda) this season hails from the Dominican Republic.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are two other AL teams who are expected to be very busy at the trade deadline in hopes of acquiring another pitcher.

The MLB trade deadline is Friday, July 31.

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