Free agent pitcher Johnny Cueto has yet to sign with a team, but apparently the righty recently received a lucrative contract offer which he turned down.
According to a report by Steve Gilbert of MLB.com on Sunday, the Arizona Diamondbacks offered Cueto a six-year, $120 million contract that was rejected by the 29-year-old.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirmed the report while adding that Cueto wants to explore his free-agent options.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN also reported on Monday that Cueto is believed to be looking for a contract in the $140-$160 million range.
The Dominican went 11-13 last year with a 3.44 ERA and 176 strikeouts. He was acquired by the Royals at the trade deadline and went on to win the World Series with them. However the 2015 campaign marked a down year for Cueto, particularly in his last several starts of the regular season for Kansas City. His struggles continued in the postseason as he was shelled for eight earned runs in Game 3 of the ALCS (though he did record a complete game victory in Game 2 of the World Series).
Jordan Zimmermann just inked a 5-year, $110 million deal with the Tigers on Sunday, which could set the market for a fellow righty like Cueto, who finds himself clearly above Zimmermann’s tier.
The uncertain roster of the Diamondbacks, who finished 79-83 last year, might not have been enough either to incentivize a return to the NL for Cueto just yet.
Cueto, who does not come attached with draft pick compensation, looks poised to gauge the market for his talents over the coming days and weeks. Despite Cueto being on a bit of downswing, it seems extremely likely that a GM will take the bait soon enough and give the former NL strikeout leader the contract he’s looking for.
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