Cueto joining Giants
SAN FRANCISCO — Even after signing Jeff Samardzija to a large, long-term contract last week, the San Francisco Giants had their eye on Johnny Cueto — they’ve been watching and admiring him from afar for years.
The Giants’ upgraded rotation sure is taking shape, with the 2014 World Series champions agreeing Monday with Cueto on a $130 million, six-year contract to add another top-tier starter.
“Johnny has always been, and rightly so, very high on our list ... high on our short list,” Giants general manager Bobby Evans said. “He’s somebody we’ve admired for a long time.”
Cueto is set to join a rotation led by left-hander Madison Bumgarner and new addition righty Jeff Samardzija, who was introduced Friday after formalizing his $90 million, five-year contract — one week after the team lost out to the Diamondbacks on Zack Greinke.
Cueto turned down a $120 million, six-year contract from Arizona late last month. The Giants began talks with Cueto’s representatives during last week’s winter meetings in Nashville.
Cueto’s deal was pending a physical, the team said, and contains a team option for 2022. Cueto is expected to travel from the Dominican Republic on Tuesday to the Bay Area and take a physical Wednesday. He is likely to be introduced later this week at AT&T Park.
Under the agreement, Cueto can opt out after the 2017 season and become a free agent again. He is due to earn $46 million before the opt out. If he exercises that clause, he would hit the market one year before the 2018 free agent class, which could include Clayton Kershaw, Dallas Keuchel, Matt Harvey, Jose Fernandez and David Price.
A 29-year-old right-hander, Cueto went 11-13 with a 3.44 ERA in 32 starts for Cincinnati and Kansas City, which acquired him in a trade July 26. He was 4-7 for the Royals in the regular season and 2-1 in the postseason, including pitching a two-hitter that gave Kansas City a 2-0 World Series lead over the New York Mets.
