EL NUEVO DIARIO, EDITORIAL.- Even after adding Seth Lugo to the starting rotation, the Padres appear to be among the teams “strongly (interested)” in free agent Johnny Cueto, FanSided’s Robert Murray reports. The Dominican right-hander would also be in the Marlins’ sights, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Though he didn’t make his 2022 debut until May 16, the 36-year-old had a strong season for the White Sox in 2022, posting a 3.35 ERA in 158.1 innings and his best FIP (3.79 ) since 2016.
Starters Sean Manaea and Mike Clevinger left the Padres via free agency this winter, but San Diego has signed both Nick Martinez and Lugo. With Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell in their ranks, Martinez or Lugo would start 2023 in the bullpen if the Padres sign Cueto.
MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi mentioned Miami as a possible bid for Cueto, but noted that that could depend on whether or not the Marlins trade Pablo Lopez.
