The New York Giants are reportedly nearing the completion of a deal with Johnny Cueto. The free agent pitcher is said to be pending to ink a contract worth $130 million. At this point, only a physical examination stands between Cueto and a potential six-year stay with the San Francisco Giants. Sources close the matter disclosed that deal also includes an opt-out clause for the MLB star, which will be activated after two years.
"Johnny has always been, and rightly so, very high on our list...high on our short list," shared Bobby Evans, according to ESPN. The San Francisco Giants general manager added, "He's somebody we've admired for a long time."
Cueto is not the first high-profile MLB star signed by the baseball team. The early days of December saw free agent Jeff Samardzija ink a $90 million deal, which would last him five years in the MLB team. The addition of Cueto and Samardzija will bolster the rotation of the San Francisco Giants - a group that currently includes Jake Peavy, Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain.
"We're going to very much need Cain and Peavy at their best," disclosed Evans, referring to the top men in his MLB team. The San Francisco Giants general manager added, "Hopefully with these two significant additions it gives us a balance of five guys that can give us the starts and innings we need to protect our bullpen and give us the best chance within our division to compete for the division. That's the goal."
Before this news, Cueto reportedly turned down an offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The said deal is said to be worth $120 million. Following his decision to reject the offer, some fans wondered if Cueto could still snag another deal as luxurious as the one he turned down. With the latest developments in his career, however, it looks like Cueto finally has the answer.
"He's not a guy that you relish facing," shared Evans. He added, "You have a guy who has a chance to be an elite presence in your rotation if he's healthy and we can play good defense behind him and use our ballpark to our advantage. Johnny has upside beyond his 2015 final numbers."
Meanwhile, NESN reports that Cueto wanted to play for the Boston Red Sox. His agent, Bryce Dixon, disclosed that the pitcher had been eager to join the said team to be close to his idol: Pedro Martinez. Bryce shared, "Johnny really wanted to go to the Red Sox. His idol is Pedro Martinez. He wanted to be with him."
