SURPRISE! Mets Bolster Outfield, Sign Veteran Cuddyer To 2-Year Deal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In what was expected to be a quiet offseason from a spending standpoint, the Mets surprised many on Monday by signing veteran outfielder Michael Cuddyer.
Cuddyer, 35, got a two-year deal worth $21 million, according to CBSSports.com and WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman.
Cuddyer is a career .279 hitter with 187 home runs and 753 RBI over 14 major league seasons, spent mostly with the Minnesota Twins. He gives the Mets options in the outfield as he can play both corner positions, has ample experience at first base, where he can be a capable backup to Lucas Duda, and has played second base in the past.
"Michael is a tremendous addition to the middle of our lineup," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "He is a proven offensive threat who also brings versatility in the field with the ability to play multiple positions."
The Mets posted a message from Cuddyer to their Instagram account on Monday afternoon.
As a result of the signing, the Mets will relinquish their first pick in the 2015 draft, No. 15 overall, to the Rockies.
The move was surprising considering it was expected that Cuddyer would accept the $15.3 million qualifying offer he got from the Colorado Rockies, with whom his career experienced a resurgence over the last three seasons.
"Sandy has talked about we're looking to turn the corner here and start to compete in 2015," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco told reporters at the general managers' meetings in Arizona.
"I think this is a message that we're going to be aggressive. Right out of the box we had a guy we liked, and we went and got him," he said.
Cuddyer was an All-Star and went on to win the NL batting title in 2013, hitting .331 with 20 homers and 84 RBI. Injuries limited him to just 49 games last season, but he was still very productive, hitting .332 with 10 homers and 31 RBI.
With Cuddyer in tow, the Mets are now looking to upgrade shortstop, and, according to a report in Newsday, have engaged the Rockies about perennial All-Star Troy Tulowitzki.
Tulowitzki was hitting .340 with 21 homers and 52 RBI through 91 games before a hip injury ended his 2014 season. The 30-year-old shortstop is a career .299 hitter, with 176 homers and 604 RBI over nine major league seasons.
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