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Report: Clubs believe Cueto is seeking $140M-$160M deal

Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Johnny Cueto is looking for a big payday, and he's being particular about where he ends up and what his value is.

Clubs believe the 29-year-old right-hander is seeking a contract valued somewhere between $140 and $160 million, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

Cueto reportedly turned down a recent offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks worth $120 million over six years, which Crasnick says began as a $110 million offer, so it seems like Cueto's agent Bryce Dixon considers his client's value to be much higher.

A deal in the rage Cueto is reportedly seeking would put him in the territory of left-handers Cole Hamels and Jon Lester. Hamels signed a 6-year, $144-million deal in 2012, while Lester signed a 6-year pact worth $155 million prior to the 2015 season.

Jordan Zimmermann, who fell under the same tier of pitchers available on the open market as Cueto, received a five-year, $110-million deal from the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

PLAYER W-L ERA WHIP SO AGE
Johnny Cueto 11-13 3.44 1.13 176 29
Cole Hamels 13-8 3.65 1.19 215 31
Jon Lester 11-12 3.34 1.12 207 31
Jordan Zimmermann 13-10 3.66 1.20 164 29

Cueto earned $10 million last season, splitting his time between the Cincinnati Reds and the World Series champion Kansas City Royals.

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