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 are among a few 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 he turned down earlier from the Diamondbacks. In the deals Cueto is currently discussing with teams, he'd like have an opt-out clause, as well.
The Giants signed Jeff Samardzija for $90 million over five years after missing out on Zack Greinke, but they've been seen as having an interest in adding two starting pitchers this winter. Reports of an offer of $195 million over six years by the Giants for Greinke are said to be inaccurate, but they certainly made a big offer for him.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported Monday that the Giants were making a "strong push" to try to sign Cueto.
