The San Francisco Giants continue to bolster their rotation by agreeing to terms with Johnny Cueto.
By William Chase
The San Francisco Giants have solidified their rotation, agreeing to terms on a six-year, $130 million contract with World Series champion, and 29-year-old Johnny Cueto.
The Giants and Johnny Cueto reach a six-year, $130 million deal with an opt-out after two years. MORE: https://t.co/Q7yJz7IPT6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 14, 2015
A rotation led by perennial Cy Young candidate and ace Madison Bumgarner, the Giants had already agreed to a contract with Jeff Samardzija, and helps form a very good 1, 2, 3 atop the rotation. Jake Peavy slotting in as a fourth starter won’t hurt either.
The Giants missed the playoffs in 2015, and will look to get back to their winning ways in the upcoming even-numbered year of 2016 — previous championships were won in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Cueto, in particular, has been very dominant during his eight-year career, accruing a record of 96-70, with a 3.30 ERA. Last season in splitting time with the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, Cueto was 11-13, 3.44 ERA.
In the postseason, Cueto struggled at times. Other times he was merciless, shutting down the Houston Astros over eight innings en route to closing out the ALDS. Overall, he was 2-1, with a 5.40 ERA.
Cueto’s best seasons came in 2012 and 2014 when he won 19 and 20 games for Cincinnati respectively, with an ERA below 3.00 ERA in both.
Cueto had reportedly turned down a contract for six years, worth $120 million from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Of course, this was before the Zack Greinke signing, and before they acquired Shelby Miller from the Atlanta Braves.
It’s been quite the offseason so far. And for the Giants to add Cueto to a rotation already among the deepest in MLB, their quest of returning to October baseball may have gotten a little easier.
