With Zack Greinke stunning the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in favor of signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the two storied rivals were forced to move on to alternative options.
The Giants immediately reached a five-year, $90 million agreement with Jeff Samardzjia, while the Dodgers reportedly have a three-year deal with Hisashi Iwakuma.
Still searching for a starting pitcher, Los Angeles reportedly turned their attention to Johnny Cueto.
On Monday the Giants were said to have joined the Dodgers in pursuit of Cueto. That quickly led to San Francisco and the free-agent right-hander reaching an agreement, per ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Sources: Johnny Cueto has an agreement with the Giants, pending a physical.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 14, 2015
According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, Cueto’s deal is worth $130 million:
Johnny Cueto has six-year, $130 million agreement with #SFGiants, source confirms. Deal has opt-out after 2017. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 14, 2015
Cueto’s contract includes an opt out after two seasons and a club option for a seventh year, via Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle:
#sfgiants deal with Cueto six years. He can opt out after two.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) December 14, 2015
Also club option for 7th year. #sfgiants
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) December 14, 2015
Cueto spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals. He finished the year 11-13 with a 3.44 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.13 WHIP in 212 innings pitched.
Cueto had his share of trouble in the postseason with the Royals, but did throw a complete game while allowing just one run on two hits in Game 2 of the World Series.
In total, Cueto allowed 15 runs on 17 hits (5.40 ERA), and had 19 strikeouts to 10 walks over four postseason starts (25 innings). Cueto’s contract with the Giants will take him through age 35.
