Johnny Cueto is reportedly planning to opt out of his contract with the Giants at the end of the season, but is willing to listen to any extension negatiations, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman.
The plan is johnny cueto will opt out after the year but he is said to be willing to listen to extension talks https://t.co/EtB6YnWV4E
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 22, 2017
Cueto, who signed a six-year, $130 million contract with the Giants before the 2016 season, has struggled with blister issues early. It also doesn’t help that Cueto, a widely known competitor, is playing for a 27-47 San Francisco team, the second-worst record in baseball.
In his first season with San Francisco, Cueto packed the power behind Madison Bumgarner in one of baseball’s best 1-2 punches and was deemed the National League’s starting pitcher in the 2016 All-Star game. He went 18-5 with a 2.79 ERA in the regular season, putting him with the fifth-best ERA in the major leagues. Bumgarner was slotted just ahead of Cueto with 2.74.
But now Bumgarner is on the DL and Cueto’s blister struggles are evident in his performance. He’s 5-7 with a 4.42 ERA and although he’s stuck out 90 over 93.2 innings, he’s also given up 17 home runs.
Cueto is set for $84 million over the next four years. Barring a major injury of some sort, it makes sense he’d opt out. Whether the Giants are willing to negotiate remains to be clear.