Johnny Cueto’s contact status with the Cincinnati Reds has been a key storyline for the team so far. Now, based on reports, the front office has some idea of what it will cost to keep the right-hander.
Continue for updates.
CBSSports.com: Cueto Seeking Approximately $200M
Friday, April 10
According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, Cueto and his camp are seeking a long-term contract in the neighborhood of $200 million in total value:
The Reds were so convinced they had no chance to sign Johnny Cueto it isn’t even certain they made an offer before the Opening Day deadline. Cueto is believed to be seeking $200 million, or thereabouts, no surprise since Max Scherzer is a fair comp. And what can Cincinnati say? They gave Homer Bailey, who’s not half as good, $105 million on a long-term deal …
Cueto’s free agency is going to be fascinating to follow. He has finished in the top four of National League Cy Young voting in two of the previous three years and led the NL with 242 strikeouts in 2014. But in 2011 and 2013, he missed significant time with injuries.
The right-hander isn’t old, as he just turned 29 in February, but he also has less-than-ideal size for a starting pitcher at 5’11”. Teams may be reluctant to invest that kind of money in a soon-to-be 30-year-old who doesn’t fit the traditional workhorse mold.
Then again, if Cueto can stay healthy again in 2015, some pitching-needy team with deep pockets may pony up the kind of dough he’s looking for.
Given Cincinnati’s current financial situation, with a lot of money still owed to Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Bailey and Brandon Phillips, it’s unclear how Cueto’s potential salary would fit into the budget.
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