As the Los Angeles Dodgers search for elite pitching to stack behind ace Clayton Kershaw, they are reportedly interested in one of best right-handers in the National League over the past six years.
While the Dodgers have been linked in theory to Cueto simply due to their need for starting pitching, it wasn't until now that reports have emerged that Los Angeles' front office is actually interested in the Dominican righty.
According to CBS Sports, the Dodgers "have now joined the fray" for Cueto, who was a member of the World Series champion Kansas City Royals after being traded from the Cincinnati Reds, with whom he made his debut in 2008, just before the non-waiver trade deadline.
After their inability to re-sign Zack Greinke, who was picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers are eager to fill out their rotation with elite arms. They began that process by adding righty Hisashi Iwakuma, but they will ideally need to add at least another starter.
Prior to signing Greinke, the D-backs offered Cueto a six-year, $120-million contract, which he refused. While it's uncertain if the contract or his unwillingness to play for Arizona influenced his decision, Cueto will likely command between $20-25 million annually on his next contract.
Cueto, who will turn 30 this offseason, holds a 96-70 record with a 3.30 ERA and 1.18 WHIP during his eight-year career, notably finishing as the runner-up to Kershaw in the 2014 NL Cy Young voting.
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