Mets sign Michael Cuddyer to two-year deal
Well, Colorado Rockies, it appears Michael Cuddyer won’t be accepting your qualifying offer.
That’s because he’s agreed to join the New York Mets on a two-year contract, a surprising move that makes Cuddyer the first alluring free agent off the board during this MLB offseason.
Cuddyer, 35, was extended a qualifying offer by the Rockies last week, which meant he could have stayed in Colorado on a one-year, $15.3 million contract.
Since the qualifying-offer system began three years ago, no player has accepted one. Cuddyer, coming off an injury-riddled 2014, seemed like he might be the first to accept. The deadline to reject/accept the deal was 5 p.m. ET Monday.
Instead, this happened:
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Cuddyer is getting $21 million — $8.5 million in 2015 and $12.5 million in 2016. The Mets also have to give up baggage that comes with signing a player tagged with a qualifying offer — a first-round draft pick. They’ll give the Rockies the 15th overall pick in the 2015 draft. Initially, the Mets had reportedly cooled on the prospect of signing Cuddyer because of the draft-pick compensation, but they weren’t out entirely.
The qualifying offer, most figured, would limit Cuddyer’s free-agent market, since he’s 35 and hasn’t played a full season since 2010. Instead, he’s among the first players off the board, and certainly one of the first top players. Jeff Passan has Cuddyer ranked as the 22nd best free agent this winter.
Cuddyer played just 49 games in 2014. He was an All-Star in 2013, though, winning the NL batting title and hitting 20 homers with 84 RBIs in 130 games. Take into account, though, that Cuddyer played his home games at Coors Field.
So the Mets had to either be in love with Cuddyer or really needed a corner outfielder with a bat. Cuddyer did play first and third base in Colorado too, so there’s some versatility there. He could back-up Lucas Duda at first base.
But the Mets have made their outfield and their offense a priority this offseason, and Cuddyer seems like a player they didn’t want to lose
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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
