Johnny Cueto Turns Down 6-Year, $120-mililion Offer From D-Backs

A new report claims that Dominican free-agent pitcher Johnny Cueto rejected a six-year, $120-million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to mlb.com. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports stated that Cueto said he wants to explore his options as a free agent. Jery Krasnick of ESPN also added that the free agent is seeking a contract in the $140-millon to $160-million range. Former Washington Nationals starter Jordan Zimmerman just agreed to a five-year, $110-million deal with the Detroit Tigers last Sunday.

Cueto last played with the Kansas City Royals, who won the World Series earlier this year. The D-backs are looking for an ace to add to the front of their rotation, and Cueto seemed to be their primary target, partly because he is a free agent and thus no team would be forced to give up its first-round draft pick in order to sign him.

David Price and Zack Greinke are the top two pitchers on the free-agent market, but both their price tags are expected to rise.

Cueto, 29, who was traded from the Cincinnati Reds with whom he spent more than seven seasons, to the Royals, was 11-13 with a 3.44 ERA last season. In his overall career, he is  96-70 with a 3.30 ERA.

D-backs general manager Dave Stewart stated to Nick Piecoro of azcentral.com that he meet with Cueto and his agent and that this door is not necessarily closed, Stewart did not confirm the specifics of these negotiations.

Should Cueto officially turn down the offer for good, other prospects could include Jeff Samardzija, Scott Kazmir, Yovani Gallardo, John Lackey, or Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda. 

KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 28: Johnny Cueto #47 of the Kansas City Royals throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the New York Mets in Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 28, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)