UPDATE (Dec. 14, 12:45 p.m. PT): With the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants both involved to sign Johnny Cueto, the Giants are the perceived favorite, via Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
The San Francisco Giants are strong in the mix for ace free agent Johnny Cueto, and appear to have put themselves in position to be the favorite to sign Cueto, though he’s still talking to a couple other teams. The Dodgers and a couple others are still in the mix, but the belief is the Giants are working hard to try to complete a deal. The Giants and Cueto are talking about a deal that would easily best the $120-million, six-year deal Cueto turned down earlier from the Diamondbacks.
When free agency began, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants were among the multiple teams scouring the market for starting pitching.
This year proved as good of time as any for clubs in that position with the free-agent class featuring several marquee names.
After the Dodgers and Giants missed out on Zack Greinke, San Francisco rebounded to sign Jeff Samardzjia, while Los Angeles reportedly has an agreement with Hisashi Iwakuma in place.
Both clubs are said to be interested in adding another starter. For the Dodgers, their focus reportedly is now on Johnny Cueto.
They may again face competition from the Giants for a free agent, as they are said to be making a push for Cueto, via Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Sources: #SFGiants making strong push for Cueto.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 14, 2015
Coming off mixed results with the Kansas City Royals in the regular season, Cueto was dominant in his lone World Series outing against the New York Mets.
He threw a complete-game, allowing just one run to help Kansas City take a 2-0 series lead. In total, Cueto finished the postseason having allowed 15 runs on 17 hits (5.40 ERA), and with 19 strikeouts to 10 walks over four starts (25 innings).
Including time with the Cincinnati Reds, Cueto went 11-13 with a 3.44 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.13 WHIP in 212 innings pitched last season.
Cueto previously rejected a contract offer from the Diamondbacks, believed to be a six-year, $126 million deal. He’ll turn 30 years old in February.
