With the exception of a short stint with the Royals in 2015, Johnny Cueto has spent the overwhelming majority of his career in the National League. In the not-so-distant future, he may be spending more time in ballparks of the Junior Circuit.
Cueto spent nearly eight full seasons with the Reds and is currently in his second with the Giants. With that said, he is obviously quite familiar with the style of play, stadiums, and teams in the National League. Thanks to interleague play, Cueto has had the opportunity to pitch against American League teams. However, he would like to do it more as his career winds down.
“It’s just a personal preference because I played so much in the National League,” Cueto said, via The San Francisco Chronicle.
“I sometimes feel the American League is stronger than the National League,” he continued. “It doesn’t matter where I play. It’s baseball. But I would like to finish my career in the American League.”
There’s certainly nothing wrong with Cueto’s preference and, with him being a competitor, it makes sense he would want the opportunity to go up against the best hitters the American League has to offer on a regular basis. Giants fans are hoping that happens later rather than sooner since Cueto can opt out of his contract with San Francisco after this season and become a free agent.
H/T Sporting News
