Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto expressed his desire to work out a new deal before opening day, reports the Associated Press.
"I want to stay here," Cueto said. "Honest, I'd like to have a contract before spring training ends. But all I can do is play. At this point, I just have to keep working hard and let them work it out."
Cueto is entering the final year of a five-year, $36.2 million deal. The Reds traded away starters Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon in the offseason, in an attempt to clear up some payroom moving forward. If both sides can't come to terms on an extension before opening day, Cueto could be traded at midseason or leave as a free agent afterward.
Cueto, 29. won a career-high 20 games in 2014. He posted a 2.25 ERA and 242:65 K:BB ratio over 243 2/3 innings last season.