MLB Free Agency Rumors: SP Johnny Cueto May Wait Until End of Winter Meetings to Pick New Team

Now that the two marquee free-agent pitchers have signed monster deals -- David Price (seven years, $217 million) and Zack Greinke (six years, $206 million) -- the next tier of arms are ready for their big payday. That is, unless you're Johnny Cueto, apparently. The latest rumors say Cueto is "in no hurry," and may wait until the conclusion of the Winter Meetings to make a decision. Odds are, there will be several teams seeking Cueto's services, yet he going to remain patient and make sure he gets the right offer.

You can't blame the guy. Now that he's one of the top pitchers left in the free-agent market, there are any number of teams that may be willing to overpay a bit for him.

Some of the most recent links of interest to Cueto include the Los Angeles Dodgers (who obviously lost Greinke), San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

Any of these options make sense. The Dodgers need someone to at least sort of replace Greinke's production, and adding him to the rotation with Clayton Kershaw wouldn't be a bad thing. San Francisco had mediocre at best pitching last season with the exception of Madison Bumgarner. As for the Cubs, they were expected to be players for either Price or Greinke, but didn't want to spend that kind of money; after signing John Lackey to a team-friendly deal, they could still afford to be in the running for Cueto.

Someone who could swoop in out of nowhere, though, may be the St. Louis Cardinals. Much like the Arizona Diamondbacks who came out of nowhere to nab Greinke, the Cardinals could come in a steal Cueto. They have the need at pitcher after Lackey left, even with Adam Wainwright more than likely returning to his ace role. There's nothing to back up this speculation, other than the Cardinals are great at filling needs and would like to take a player away from several teams looking to contend next season.

The Winter Meetings began today and will end Dec. 10. By that time, we should see someone emerge as the favorite. Whoever is most desperate will likely be able to sign Cueto, as he already turned down a $120 million offer this offseason.