MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

Michael Cuddyer is a Met?

 

The Mets announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year contract.

 

Cuddyer, a client of Excel Sports Management’s Casey Close, was the surprise recipient of a qualifying offer last week that caused many to believe that he would be the first to accept the offer. However, Colorado’s decision to extend the QO appears to have been a wise one, as they’ll now net a draft pick at the end of next year’s first round for their loss. The Mets, on the other hand, will forfeit the 15th pick in next year’s draft in order to bring Cuddyer to Queens.

 

<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Cuddyer, 36 in March, has long been rumored to be a target of the Mets, although last week’s QO from the Rockies was said at the time to kill their interest in 35-year-old free agent. Clearly, that was either posturing on the Mets’ behalf or something in their thinking changed. He’ll join the Mets’ outfield alongside Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson and add some punch to the middle of manager Terry Collins’ order.

<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:13px;"> 

<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:13px;">In case you missed it, let me point out the hidden "WHAT THE?" in the text above:

<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:13px;"> 

The Mets announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year contract.

 

Cuddyer, a client of Excel Sports Management’s Casey Close, was the surprise recipient of a qualifying offer last week that caused many to believe that he would be the first to accept the offer. However, Colorado’s decision to extend the QO appears to have been a wise one, as they’ll now net a draft pick at the end of next year’s first round for their loss. The Mets, on the other hand, will forfeit the 15th pick in next year’s draft in order to bring Cuddyer to Queens.


 

<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Cuddyer, 36 in March,
has long been rumored to be a target of the Mets, although last week’s QO from the Rockies was said at the time to kill their interest in 35-year-old free agent. Clearly, that was either posturing on the Mets’ behalf or something in their thinking changed. He’ll join the Mets’ outfield alongside Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson and add some punch to the middle of manager Terry Collins’ orde

 

<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:13px;"> 

<p style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif;font-size:13px;">♪ Good evening, friieeeeennnnnndddds! ♫

[Kid]

Nothing about this makes sense.  Reports are that Cuddyer gets 2 years, $21M from the Mets, including $8.5M in 2015 and $12.5M in 2016.  He had a $15.3M qualifying offer from the Rockies for 2015. 

 

How does this make any sense for him (to say nothing for the fact that he has to go from hitting in Colorado to hitting at Citi Field)?

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

His body must be planning to fall completely apart sometime this year.

[rok]

Remember when local sportswriters were drooling over the prospect of the Cubs bringing in Alderson to oversee the ownership transition from the Trib? Ok...

[funkster]

Very strange.

[Coldneck]

Nothing about this makes sense.  Reports are that Cuddyer gets 2 years, $21M from the Mets, including $8.5M in 2015 and $12.5M in 2016.  He had a $15.3M qualifying offer from the Rockies for 2015. 

 

How does this make any sense for him (to say nothing for the fact that he has to go from hitting in Colorado to hitting at Citi Field)?

Only thing I can think of is that he wanted a beter chance to win than rebuilding Colorado. NYM have a chance to compete, but it's not like they're projected to be a World Series contender. The do get Harvey back next year and DeGrom was pretty fantastic. Wheeler and Niese aren't terrible either. There's also speculation on twitter that David Wright and Cuddyer are buddies. They're both from the same hometown, although they're 4 years apart.

[nakedman1664]

Random note: The Cubs are one of four teams on Justin Uptons no trade list for this year. Saw it on MLBTR.

[jstraw]

I'm sad.

[Andy]

Cuddyer must have really wanted to play for the Mets or he really wanted out of Colorado (or both). 

[rok]

Cuddyer must have really wanted to play for the Mets or he really wanted out of Colorado (or both). 

Perhaps, but I wonder if he realizes how much his production will suffer as a result, and even if they move the fences in at Citi field.

[Andy]

 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Andy" data-cid="231547" data-time="1415711660">
Cuddyer must have really wanted to play for the Mets or he really wanted out of Colorado (or both). 

Perhaps, but I wonder if he realizes how much his production will suffer as a result, and even if they move the fences in at Citi field.
 


</blockquote>
 

There has to be more to the story.  It's such a rarity to see anyone willfully take on a lower paying contract.

[Andy]

Random note: The Cubs are one of four teams on Justin Uptons no trade list for this year. Saw it on MLBTR.

 

I think there are a whole lot of people mistaking BJ Upton for Justin Upton (not you nakedman).  Lot's of people glad we're on that 4 team no-trade list.  Justin is pretty damn good and at $14.5M for the final season, he'd be well priced.  BJ on the other hand is shit.

[nakedman1664]

I can understand the confusion, it's took me a bit to remember the good Upton and the bad Upton.

[rok]

That said, unless you can immediately extend him, I wouldn't want to give up much to get Upton just for one season.

[rok]

Victor Martinez apparently re-signing with Detroit for 4/$68 mil. I wonder if this sets a floor for the Russell Martin contract.


http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/ti...tinez.html