The Kansas City Royals have some rotation pitching problems, and so they set their sights on Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds, who are willing to offload anyone for the right trade and price.

The Royals have a firm lead of the AL Central division with a 57-37 record, 6.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins and also hold the best record in the American League.

However, the season-ending injury to Jason Vargas (torn ulnar ligament, needing the Tommy John surgery) and the inconsistent form of Yordano Ventura, the opening day starter for the team who has been optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday before being recalled a day later to take Vargas’ spot in the rotation pushed them to perform a trade. Their rotation staff have a 4.27 ERA, 23rd in the majors.

Cueto isn’t as good as he was last season, when he finished second in the Cy Young voting, but is still putting up good numbers with a 2.79 ERA (6-6 in 18 starts) and a lot of numbers similar to last season, including hits per nine innings and strikeouts per nine innings.

If the Reds and Royals don’t come to an agreement regarding Cueto, the Royals will turn their eyes to Yovani Gallardo of the Texas Rangers, although the Rangers might still be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.