Giants land Cueto with 6-year deal worth reported $130M
The National League West got even stronger Monday, as one of its clubs landed the top pitcher still available on the free-agent market.
The San Francisco Giants have agreed to a six-year deal with right-hander Johnny Cueto, pending a physical.
The deal is worth $130 million, and Cueto can opt out after the second year, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports. There's also a club option for a seventh year.
San Francisco now features one of the better starting rotations in baseball, having signed righty Jeff Samardzija to a five-year, $90-million pact earlier this month.
PROJECTED ROTATION - 2015 STATS
| PLAYER | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP | SO9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Bumgarner | 218.1 | 18-9 | 2.93 | 1.00 | 9.6 |
| Johnny Cueto | 212 | 11-13 | 3.44 | 1.13 | 7.5 |
| Jeff Samardzija | 214 | 11-13 | 4.96 | 1.29 | 6.9 |
| Matt Cain | 60.2 | 2-4 | 5.79 | 1.50 | 6.1 |
| Jake Peavy | 110.2 | 8-6 | 3.58 | 1.12 | 6.3 |
The Giants needed to address their pitching needs this fall after losing Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong to free agency, and following Tim Hudson's retirement.
Cueto reportedly rejected a six-year, $120-million offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this fall, and his agent publicly stated his client also had interest in joining the Boston Red Sox. Arizona countered by signing Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5-million deal, and Boston landed southpaw David Price with a seven-year, $217-million pact.
Pitching at spacious AT&T Park should benefit Cueto, who has spent the majority of his eight-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, and help lower his numbers with more games against NL foes in the future.
Johnny Cueto last season
vs NL: 2.30 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 5.6 K/BB
vs AL: 4.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 2.8 K/BB
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 14, 2015
The 29-year-old played a crucial role in the Kansas City Royals' magical postseason run last year as a rental player, and boasts a 96-70 record with a 3.30 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 226 career starts.