By Jesus Perez Vichot (Chuchi)
Right-hander Johnny Cueto is one of the top five starting pitchers available in free agency this offseason. According to Ben Nicholson-Smith (Sportsnet), the Blue Jays franchise has shown interest in the 36-year-old Dominican pitcher. Apparently, the management of the Toronto team is not satisfied with having recently signed fellow pitcher Chris Bassitt.
In addition to Bassitt, the Canadian team has three other quality starters (Kevin Gausman, Alek Manoah and José Berríos). But they are willing to look for another starter who can provide more depth to their rotation, especially because of the doubts with Japan’s lefty Yusei Kikuchi, who finished last season as a reliever, and South Korea’s Hyun Jin Ryu (Tommy John operation). The Jays are going all out for the two-time All-Star and 2015 World Series winner with the Royals (Cueto).
“El Jucho,” as Cueto is nicknamed, has been in the Majors for 15 years and accumulates a 143-107 win-loss record, a 3.44 ERA and a 1.208 WHIP. In addition, opposing hitters are hitting .246 for him, allowing 8.3 hits and striking out 7.4 opponents for every nine innings pitched.
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Cueto has finished in the top 10 among Cy Young Award candidates three times. The 2014 campaign (with the Reds) being the best of his major league career. When he went 20-9, he posted a 2.25 ERA and led the old circuit in starts (34), innings pitched (243.2) and strikeouts (242).
Although the native of San Pedro de Macorís did not do badly with the White Sox this year (8-10, 3.35), his advanced age could affect him when looking for a multiyear contract. The safest thing is that he signs for a single season. Nicholson-Smith himself recently posted on his official Twitter account that the Jays will most likely have more priority in increasing their bullpens with new contracts than looking for another starter. Despite the interest that they have shown in Cueto.
in his entire career Cueto has earned more than $160 million. With the Giants he earned his highest salary when he averaged $21,833,333 per season (2017 to 2021). The Dominican’s projected market value is $14,700,083, so he could receive a sum similar to this if he reaches an agreement with the Toronto franchise.
