Even in a market loaded with talented starting pitchers, Kansas City Royals starter Johnny Cueto drew plenty of interest before reportedly agreeing to sign with the San Francisco Giants.
Buster Olney of ESPN the Magazine first reported the deal, which is pending a physical. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the contract is for six years.
Prior to the agreement, Heyman reported that the two sides were "talking about a deal that would easily best the $120 million, six-year deal Cueto turned down earlier from the Diamondbacks. In the deals Cueto is currently discussing with teams, he'd like to have an opt-out clause as well."
Cueto, 29, had an interesting 2015 season. He went 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 120 strikeouts in 130.2 innings pitched with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Royals, where he struggled somewhat, going 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 56 strikeouts in 13 starts.
He had an up-and-down postseason as well, going 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in four starts, though he did pitch brilliantly in Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Mets, giving up just two hits and a run in a complete-game 7-1 win.
Cueto was one of the National League's most consistent aces in recent years, so his struggles in Kansas City came as something of a surprise. But his dominance in the World Series was a reminder of his prowess, and the Giants will be happy to add a starter with his track record to the rotation.
