Red Sox Free Agent Targets: Top 5 available starting pitchers

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Lance Lynn
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Lance Lynn
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PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Johnny Cueto (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Johnny Cueto (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

3. Johnny Cueto

This one is a little tricky.

Cueto, who is technically under contract till 2023, has an opt-out clause in his contract. Now recently, Cueto said he is unlikely to opt out of his contract, but there is still a slight chance he does.

Cueto could easily opt out citing that the Giants are not going in the direction he wants. He would be costing himself some money, but he would improve his chance at winning a championship.

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Cueto just had one of his least impressive seasons in the bigs. He finished the season 8-8 on a miserable Giants team, with an ERA of 4.52. But just one year ago, Cueto had one of his better seasons.

But like Garza, Cueto wouldn’t need to be the stopper for the Red Sox in the postseason. In his career in the postseason, Cueto is 2-4 with a 4.54 ERA. But Cueto has also pitched on the biggest stage in the sport before.

In 2015, he hurled a one-run complete game in the World Series. That was by far the brightest spot of his career.

If Cueto decides to opt out, he could be the first call they make. Keep an eye out for Cueto in the next couple weeks.

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