There’s no question about it, Johnny Cueto has been one of the few bright spots for the White Sox in 2022.

Signing with the club to a one-year, $4.2 million minor league deal on April 5, the veteran figured to be a serviceable, back-end option if all went well. After four starts in Triple-A Charlotte, Cueto turned into a best-case scenario and has been locked in the five-spot since mid-May.

Across 25 outings (24 starts), Cueto finished the year with a 3.35 ERA (59 ER/158.1 IP), 102 strikeouts, 3.79 FIP, and 1.225 WHIP. Following his Monday night outing vs. the Twins, Cueto made his 18th quality start of the season, the most since his 2016 All-Star campaign (22). Even though he just snapped a rough patch of four-straight losses, Cueto gave his team a chance to win most times he took the bump, something you can’t ask more of from your number five.

In last night’s meeting with the media, Cueto provided his first real glimpse at the future. The soon-to-be free agent said that he would be open to returning to the White Sox as he believes he has two-to-three years left in the tank.