DENVER -- Even before the Reds' 17-7 loss to the Rockies, Sunday was already shaping up to be a tough day at the ballpark. A little over an hour before first pitch, Cincinnati traded ace Johnny Cueto.
In the organization since 2004, and a fixture on the big league pitching staff since 2008, Cueto was sent to the Royals for left-handed pitching prospects Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed. While a trade has been expected for months, it was still hard for teammates to bid Cueto farewell.
"Shocking is not the word, but it's kind of a blah feeling," right fielder Jay Bruce said.