Michael Cuddyer is retiring after 15 seasons in MLB

(Getty Images) On the heels of the Winter Meetings and some surprising free agent moves this week comes this surprising decision from New York Mets outfielder Michael Cuddyer.

According to ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin, Cuddyer has decided to retire effective immediately, leaving behind a 15-year MLB career and a $12.5 million salary that was owed to him in 2016. There’s no official word if he still receive a portion of the 2016 salary, but Rubin adds that a buyout of some sort is likely.

Regardless, the Mets should have some extra to spend now on the free agent market.

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At this time last year Michael Cuddyer was considered an important piece of the New York Mets lineup after signing a two-year, $21 million contract. Now he’s set to walk away after a hugely disappointing season that was plagued by injuries. Cuddyer was limited by knee and wrist injuries and hit just .259/.309/.391 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI in 408 plate appearances.

Cuddyer also appeared in six postseason games, but was rendered an afterthought after striking out three times in Game 1 of the World Series. He managed just one hit and one walk overall in 12 postseason plate appearances.

The news still comes as a surprise considering that Cuddyer did have that one season left on his contract. It also came with some confusion, as the Mets prematurely listed him as retired on their transaction page before any announcement was made. That forced some scrambling and digging by Mets reporters before the news was ultimately confirmed.

It was assumed all along that Cuddyer would return with a lesser role and at least attempt to go out on a better note, but his body may not be cooperating. Cuddyer underwent core muscle surgery on Nov. 6. Looking back to his 2014 season with the Colorado Rockies, Cuddyer was limited to 49 games after suffering a fractured left shoulder socket.

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Cuddyer is most known for his time with the Minnesota Twins, where he spent the first 11 seasons of his career. He’s a two-time All-Star — once with Minnesota in 2011 and again with Colorado in 2013 — and a one-time batting champion. He finishes his career with a .277/.344/.461 battling line, 197 home runs and 794 RBI.

He’ll mostly be remembered for his consistency and an infectious personality. He was always among the most popular players in the clubhouse and will be missed by those who played alongside him.

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