San Francisco Giants sign SP Johnny Cueto to six-year deal
Free-agent starting pitcher Johnny Cueto has agreed to a six-year deal with the San Francisco Giants pending a physical, the team announced. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Buster Olney. According to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi, the contract is worth $130 million with an opt-out player option for 2017.
Cueto, 29, finished the 2015 season with the Kansas City Royals after being acquired from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline. Though he struggled after moving to the American League, Cueto posted a 3.44 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 176 strikeouts and an 11–13 record over 212 innings split between Cincinnati and Kansas City. He was the winning pitcher in Game 2 of the World Series, helping the Royals win their first championship since 1985. In eight major league seasons, Cueto holds a career 3.30 ERA and 1.18 WHIP; he has made one All-Star team, back in 2014, and also finished second in the NL Cy Young voting that year.
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Cueto is the second starting pitcher added to bolster the Giants' rotation; the team signedJeff Samardzija to a five-year deal worth $90 million on Dec. 5. San Francisco is coming off a 84–78 season and a second-place finish in the National League West behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
