Reds, Cueto closing in on deal By Sports Network

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds and pitcher Johnny Cueto have reportedly come to terms on a multi-year agreement that would cover the right-hander's arbitration years.

According to ESPN Deportes, Cueto has agreed to a four-year deal worth $27 million, but the Cincinnati Enquirer quoted Reds general manager Walt Jocketty as saying the two sides are working toward a multi-year deal.

The paper added that Cueto has submitted an arbitration figure of $3.9 million while the club apparently countered with an offer of $3 million.

Cueto was 12-7 with a 3.64 earned run average and a team-best 138 strikeouts in 31 starts for the NL Central-champion Reds last season. He took the loss in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against Philadelphia, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on five hits in five innings of a 2-0 loss in the clinching game.

The 24-year-old Dominican native has made at least 30 starts in each of his three big league seasons and owns a career mark of 32-32 with a 4.27 ERA in 92 starts.