Andrew Kyne, Baseball Info Solutions 9y

Defense, ballpark effects on traded aces Hamels, Cueto and Price

MLB, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays

A number of teams had their sights set on premium arms before this year's non-waiver trade deadline, looking to bulk up their starting rotations for the stretch run. Only 20 qualified starting pitchers have maintained an ERA under 3.00 since the beginning of 2014, and three of the most notable -- Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto (2.38), Philadelphia's Cole Hamels (2.92) and Detroit's David Price (2.99) -- landed on new teams in the days leading up to Friday's deadline.

This trio certainly will bolster their new rotations, but is it possible for each of these already-elite pitchers to perform even better in their new surroundings? Cueto, Price and Hamels all have a legitimate chance of improving their results thanks to better defensive environments that await them.

Johnny Cueto, RHP
Kansas City Royals
2015 stats: 7-6 record, 2.70 ERA, 0.96 WHIP

Despite having the American League's best record, Kansas City's starting rotation has looked underwhelming this season; it posted a 4.32 ERA and 4.24 FIP (fielding independent pitching) in the first half, both marks ranking 12th among the 15 AL clubs. Lacking a top-of-the-rotation arm to ride into October, the Royals pushed their chips forward and struck a deal for Cueto, Cincinnati's ace.

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