Agent: Johnny Cueto will give Reds until Opening Day to negotiate extension
Johnny Cueto is setting parameters for contract extension talks.
The right-hander will give the Cincinnati Reds until the spring to negotiate a new contract, according to his agent, Bryce Dixon.
"He'll give it until Opening Day," Dixon told CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. "Then he's going to be focused on the season and trying to do what he can for Cincinnati. If something happens, we're probably to keep it to this offseason. We're not going to be looking to do something this summer."
Cueto, 28, will become a free agent at the end of the 2015 campaign, and his value couldn't be higher coming off a 20-win season.
General manager Walt Jocketty initiated extension talks with Cueto's camp at the winter meetings, but striking a long-term deal with one of the top arms in the game won't be easy for the low-budget Reds. Jocketty did, however, send a clear signal he's serious about retaining Cueto's services by dealing starters Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon out of town to free up cash.
"He's (Cueto) willing to listen," Dixon added. "He likes it in Cincinnati, and he's had success there in a tough ballpark for a pitcher. But he's open to the possibility of testing the free-agent market if nothing works out with the Reds. All is in their court."
Dixon will be using the contracts signed by Jon Lester (six years, $155 million) and eventually Max Scherzer (who will likely sign for close to $200 million) this offseason as a precedent in negotiations.
Cueto is the only pitcher besides Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw to boast an ERA below 3.00 in each of the past four seasons.