The Mets have announced today the signing of OF Michael Cuddyer to a two year contract. Cuddyer is a career .279/.347/.466 hitter.
Since Cuddyer received a qualifying offer from the Colorado Rockies, the Mets will surrender the 15th overall pick in the 2015 Amateur Draft.
Cuddyer has struggled with injuries recently, and hasn’t played in more than 139 games since 2009 with the Minnesota Twins.
Steamer projects Cuddyer to hit .262/.322/.425 in 2015.
With a middle of the lineup likely looking like so, the rest of the NL East better look out for the Mets in 2015!
2. Murphy
3. Wright
4. Duda
5. Cuddyer
6. Granderson
it stretches it out even longer with d’arnaud in the 7th hole and Flores in the 8 hole. Amazing how adding ONE player can completely change the composition of the lineup.
We don’t know if Flores is even in the lineup yet… If the mets sign a proven short stop that’ll really boost the lineup… If they can get a say alexi Ramirez or even asdrubal Cabrera…The mets would finally have an above average line up and nearly unbreakable rotation
as of right now, Flores is our starting short stop. That could change – even very soon, but my hunch is it only changes, if they a) trade Murphy or b) trade Flores. If the trade Murphy, Flores is still in the lineup, starting at 2B.
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Why would a team whose serious about contending put a guy like Flores in such an important position ?? Now if this team was rebuilding I’d say why not? But the guy simply isn’t a shortstop and you’re hurting his value by playing him at a position he’s not built for… They need a proven starter that can Handle the work load
I believe my eyes, and to me flores looked like a perfectly adequate short stop. And i believe his bat will more than make up for any deficiencies in the field.
Touch down.
This is exactly what I was saying; this team is going to expand its payroll. I love it, love it, love it.
Good job Sandy. Right guy, right abilities, right term of contract.
agreed. 100 percent. best fit for us. great early move. Makes us more attractive for other potential signees. Instantly upgrades and lengthens our lineup.
It sounds as if the contract is back-weighted. I don’t like that because it makes it more difficult to move a player if the opportunity arises. I believe that this might be an impediment in trying to deal Colon.
Shocking to see Sandy give up the 15th draft pick. Will two years of Cuddyer equal the 15th draft pick? Check back in six years to find out.
Cuddyer seems like he really wanted to come to the Mets. My hunch is that Cuddyer took less in the first year to help the Mets payroll but also to assure himself that he won’t get traded in the second year. Cuddyer was my first choice. It was an aggressive move, didn’t cost the team young players in trade and solidified the lineup. Nice move Sandy.
the last 10 #15 picks:
2013: The Diamondbacks chose RHP Braden Shipley from Nevada.
2012: The Indians chose OF Tyler Naquin from Texas A&M
2011: The Brewers took LHP Jed Bradley from Georgia Tech
2010: The Rangers took OF Jake Skole from Blessed Trinity HS (Ga.)
2009: The Indians took RHP Alex White from North Carolina
2008: The Dodgers chose RHP Ethan Martin from Stephens County HS (Ga.)
2007: The Reds took catcher Devin Mesoraco from Punxsutawney HS (Pa.)
2006: The Nationals took 3B Chris Marrero from Monsignor Edward Pace (Fla.)
2005: The White Sox took RHP Lance Broadway from TCU
2004: The Diamondbacks took SS Stephen Drew from Florida State
Really nothing to lose sleep over.
I don’t need to love this move—and I don’t….but I Love the fact that the Mets ID’d a player they wanted and got him…Early!!!
You could have said the same thing about the Chris Young signing last year.
I did say virtuaally the same thing about CY…..that said, they’re making a larger and longer commitment, and they’re sacrificing a Draft Pick, and Cuddyer is a Solid player. It’s good to see them want a guy enough to exctend themselves.
Cuddyer has been a legitimate Pro’s Pro…… my concerns are his age and recent injury problems. I can root for this guy to make the deal work.
My thought exactly! Thanks for documenting it.
Metsense,
If you flip Cuddyer next winter, can’t you get a prospect back that should a at least be closer to being ready than a prospect that you are projecting five years down the line?
I think I am the only one not praising this signing…
uh oh…
You’ve got a fellow dissenter here. But it looks like we’re in the small minority on this one as i’ve been seeing mostly all positive reactions.
My emotions to the Cuddyer signing were almost identical to the Chris Young signing last year.
My initial reaction was that the Mets overpaid even without knowing the exact number. Seeing as the Rockies made a QO to him, in order for the Mets to have topped that i knew they had to go over $20 million, and they did. Without losing a draft pick, I had pegged him as a $10 million player on a 1 year deal and 16-18 on a 2 year deal.
The next step was trying to rationalize the deal, of which i had a hard time doing.
And so, my final reaction is one of disapproval. It’s not a terrible deal (it certainly makes a lot more sense than the Colon deal last year) as it does make the Mets a better team, but Alderson certainly overpaid for him, and by calculations, quite a bit.
The timing needed to be today, or else he would have taken the QO, but I think that unless you are getting a great bargain (which i don’t think anyone would argue that is the case here), there is no reason to go after a complementary piece so early. You should first focus on getting the big fish because at the end of FA, there are always bargains available in the scrap bin.
Also, in terms of PR, i thought it was a poor move. You have deGrom winning a RoY today, wouldn’t it have made more sense to let him have his day instead of overshadowing him with the Cuddyer announcement? (at least i thought it did) The Mets could have milked more positive PR by agreeing to the deal today but announcing the deal next week.
Overall, i don’t think the benefits outweighed the costs, and i count this as another loss for Alderson and his track record of getting MLB talent at a reasonable cost is still a big fat goose egg.
It’s like everyone forgets that he’s old and injury prone. I’ve got my fingers crossed but I’m not praising it.
Does feel like Grandy part 2 doesn’t it?
Nevertheless I support the move that says SA looks serious about attending to matters. He’s holding the fort until Conforto arrives.
He is injury prone, but where were they going to get an upgrade for the offensive at a reasonable cost? Even if he hits .270 and drives in 80 RBI, the move is worth it. They didn’t break the bank by any stretch…
In fact, you have to wonder why Cuddyer agreed to the contract that he did. To get a guaranteed second year? He traded over $15 mil this season for an extra year and an additional $6 mil… Even if he stinks it up, he would’ve been able to get $6 mil next season.
Definitely makes you think that he wanted to be a Met.. How many times have we been able to say that in recent years?
“….even if he hits 270 w 80 rbi…..”…..???? “Even If????”…. I’d be Thrilled!!!!!
The Mets could win 90 games next year with Cuddyer in RF, Flores and deGrom at SS all year, Wright and Granderson better, Harvey back, d’Arnaud improved, and a better bullpen from the start.
I’m a fan of the move as long as they improve at SS. I’d deal Murphy, get a SS and start Flores at 2nd. I don’t think it’s right to compare this move to Chris Young. Young was in decline and showed it with the Mets. Cuddy has struggled with injuries, but didn’t show decline in production. I think with Kirk and MDD around, Cuddy will have the days off, DH time and first base starts he’ll need to stay healthy.
Sorry but I’m hesitant to say SA hit a home run. When and if Cuddyer goes on the DL at least those fans who supported the trade will say he can produce when he’s on the field. Do you really think Collins is going to rest Cuddyer? Maybe on the DL. As for payroll going up let’s wait and see what the FO has to say about that. No need to rush and yet once again our beloved GM feels the sense of urgency with his fan base and has a knee jerk reaction signing. Chris Young part II.
I also wanted a sexier name, but he’s a solid player at the term and price they could live with. He didn’t have chronic injuries last year (both hamstrings but he doesn’t steal many bases and we have that fitness guru now to build up those muscles, and a fractured wrist diving for a ball) and seems to be a professional hitter that doesn’t come from the Alderson PPAB thinking.
BTW, I like a suggested idea from someone else that said that if Drew’s price bottoms out to about $4MM or the neighborhood of such, sign him to play SS and platoon with Tejada, Flores, or Reynolds depending on who is still around.
Cosmetic Gus, Cosmetic. SA once again showing other GM’S he’s one up on them. Yes Cuddyer is a professional hitter and a good clubhouse fit (no tantrums or late night partying). But the Mets could of gone all in on a trade. Sorry but to me the moves are just that. Small increments. Baby steps. Alderson is afraid to take that a chance and make a deal that not only helps his team but gives up something in return. It seems that the fan base has been so accustomed to the inertia of the FO that Any move that appears to be in the right direction is applauded. Alderson could of done better. He just chose the safer route.
I agree with everything you said and I’ll add something: Alderson wanted a good player at a good price – not a great player at a great price – that will be gone when his draft picks are ready without giving up a single chip. Surely, he’s very proud of himself and I don’t think this was a bad move.
Also, this makes it look like Murphy is staying as any trade for a bat would have meant a bat back, and we all know who that would have been. I’m starting to warm up to Murphy a little; he does make this lineup better, but still think the opportunity to move him is right now.
And if the Mets continue with their micro upgrades what will they do with Murphy? Can’t sign to an extension. No money. They’re certainly not going to make him a qualifying offer. Trade him at the deadline next season? Yes the Mets are better with Cuddyer but the Marlins get Fernandez back. The Nat’s will win the division again, The Braves will make their upgrades. The Central division is loaded. The west has the Giants and Dodgers. If the Mets can at least split their games with the Nat’s then they have an outside shot at a wildcard. But they need to play better at home for that to happen.
Look, the Braves are a mess forget them. They have no pitching staff and several crappy hitters, i.e.: B.J., C.J., a rookie catcher, Simmons is no stick, and who is their second baseman? Hard to fix all that in one off season. Last September, Smoltz was talking about blowing it up and starting over. So, forget them.
The Marlins have no offense outside of Stanton and let’s see him do it again. Alot of their pitchers overachieved as even Henderson Alvarez had more hits than innings. They have a nice outfield, but not much in the infield at all and I don’t love their bullpen. I don’t care about Fernandez, he’s coming off surgery and is the only starter they have that even makes me blink.
The Phillies? LOL! Having a sale on players this winter! Forget them.
What is everyone going nuts about?
Notice I did not mention the Phillies. But the Mets would of been more of a threat for the division if they would have gone all in for Kemp or Bautista. The opportunity is there as you pointed out TG for the Mets to make their move. i just think this was a very safe move
Its also just the first move, though. Let’s see how they handle their middle infield before passing full judgment.
That said, Cuddyer’s bat and ability to give Duda a day off against LHP shouldn’t be ignored
Prof,
I think they already had Campbell for that, because when Cuddy plays first, who’s in RF?
Good point Tex—I guess the debate (pending few other changes) is to decide between Campbell and Cudd versus Cudd and Duda versus “tough lefties”. At that point, it’s probably Campbell at 1b and Cudd in the OF.
On Days they want to “rest Cudd”, they have dD or K…. I like the “flex” of the players involved. It will be a test of the Manager’s ability to mix and match—provide some rest and an opportunity for bench guys to stay in the flow.
All of this hinges on Health for Cuddyer and Wright—return to 85% baseball card for Grandy and Wright—- this is an 86 plus win team…Today.
I guess the Mets need someone to fill the DL slot this year. Cuddyer taking the 2nd year at 5+ mil instead of taking the QO, makes me wonder if even he believes that he makes it through 2 seasons. Did we really need to jump on a injury prone,poor defensive player with a recognizable name?
It’s not money, nor years (see Granderson for that one!)…
it is not club house presence, either.
It is age and hx of injuries.
Giving up number 15….I can throw that in, too.
If healthy, he may produce, but he may weight us down in 2016. I just wonder if there were better alternatives.
It’s no disaster; it’s just….well, you get my meaning.
Even with trade talk, I think giving up Noah is a very bad thought.
He’s a proven major league hitter with power. Wasn’t that what fans wanted? Not much available on the FA market, that’s why they pounced. Gave up only a draft pick, don’t really see how it’s negative. If a player is eligble for free agency, there’s always gonna be a reason he is.
Is Harvey injury prone? I mean he missed a whole year. Injuries happen, Tulo, Utley, Ellsbury, Kemp, etc. Cuddyer’s resume is legit, and he’s not done by any strech. I love the signing.
I suspect he’ll be playing every three days out of four.