Reds finalize deal with Cueto.

By Hunter Hendrickson

The Reds' busy winter continued as they finalized a four-year, $27 million contract to avoid arbitration with starting pitcher Johnny Cueto on Wednesday after the right-hander passed his physical.

The deal, according to The Associated Press, will pay the 24-year-old Cueto $3.4 million in 2011, $5.4 million in 2012, $7.4 million in 2013 and $10 million in 2014. There is a $10 million club option for 2015 that carries an $800,000 buyout.

Cueto, who hails from the Dominican Republic, made $445,000 in 2010 and was already enjoying the benefits of the big salary increase.

"I'm the only one that takes care of my entire extended family, so they're very happy and I'm happy to be able to provide for them," Cueto said through an interpreter during a press conference at Great American Ball Park. "The first thing I will do is take more of them to America with me, to Cincinnati and Goodyear [Ariz.]."

Cueto was to be arbitration-eligible for the first time, which means the contract covers all three of his arbitration years and at least one year of free-agent eligibility.

In arbitration numbers exchanged last week, Cueto was seeking $3.9 million for the 2011 season, while the club countered with a $3 million offer.

"We try to identify the guys we think are, No. 1, deserving of this, but also guys that we think with this reward will continue to work hard and strive to be as good as they can be," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We definitely feel that Johnny is that type of player."

Cueto was 12-7 with a 3.64 ERA in 31 starts last season, while he established career bests in wins, ERA, innings pitched (185 2/3) and walks allowed (56). He is 32-32 with a 4.27 ERA in 92 starts over his three big league seasons.