The Angels and veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto have agreed to a minor league deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. This news follows Cueto opting out of his minor league deal with the Rangers earlier this month.
Cueto, 38, is a two-time All-Star with 16 MLB seasons under his belt. From 2010 to 2016, he was one of the top starters in the league, boasting a 2.86 ERA (141 ERA+), second only to Clayton Kershaw among qualified starters with at least 500 innings pitched during that period. However, as Cueto entered his 30s, injuries began to limit his time on the mound. After an impressive 2016 season in the first year of his $130MM contract with San Francisco, he pitched just 394 1/3 innings over the next five seasons, with a 4.38 ERA (95 ERA+).
Cueto signed a minor league deal with the White Sox for the 2022 season, and he showed signs of a resurgence in Chicago. He posted a 3.35 ERA (118 ERA+) and a 3.79 FIP in 158 1/3 innings over 25 appearances (24 starts). These figures were his best since his dominant 2016 season, though his career-low 15.7% strikeout rate was concerning.
Despite this, the Marlins pursued Cueto in the 2022-23 offseason, signing him to a one-year deal worth $8.5MM. Unfortunately, Cueto struggled with Miami, recording a 6.02 ERA and a 7.02 FIP in 52 1/3 innings, amid stints on the injured list for biceps tightness and a viral infection. These issues likely contributed to his struggles, and Cueto settled for a minor league deal with Texas in April after failing to secure a big league contract.
Cueto made eight starts at Triple-A for the Rangers, struggling with a 5.92 ERA in 38 innings before opting out to return to free agency. Now, he will have a chance to prove himself with the Angels. Given their need for pitching, it’s plausible that Cueto could earn a major league opportunity if he performs well at Triple-A. With lefty Tyler Anderson and righty Griffin Canning being the most established starters and both involved in trade speculation, Cueto could find his way into the Angels’ rotation. Even if no trades materialize, Cueto could compete for a spot alongside pitchers like Carson Fulmer and Jack Kochanowicz.
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