Report: Clubs believe Cueto is seeking $140M-$160M deal
Johnny Cueto is looking for a big payday, and he's being particular about where he ends up and what his value is.
Clubs believe the 29-year-old right-hander is seeking a contract valued somewhere between $140 and $160 million, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
Cueto reportedly turned down a recent offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks worth $120 million over six years, which Crasnick says began as a $110 million offer, so it seems like Cueto's agent Bryce Dixon considers his client's value to be much higher.
A deal in the rage Cueto is reportedly seeking would put him in the territory of left-handers Cole Hamels and Jon Lester. Hamels signed a 6-year, $144-million deal in 2012, while Lester signed a 6-year pact worth $155 million prior to the 2015 season.
Jordan Zimmermann, who fell under the same tier of pitchers available on the open market as Cueto, received a five-year, $110-million deal from the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
PLAYER | W-L | ERA | WHIP | SO | AGE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Johnny Cueto | 11-13 | 3.44 | 1.13 | 176 | 29 |
Cole Hamels | 13-8 | 3.65 | 1.19 | 215 | 31 |
Jon Lester | 11-12 | 3.34 | 1.12 | 207 | 31 |
Jordan Zimmermann | 13-10 | 3.66 | 1.20 | 164 | 29 |
Cueto earned $10 million last season, splitting his time between the Cincinnati Reds and the World Series champion Kansas City Royals.