Roch: The case for Cuddyer

[ChaosLex]

Of all the names that I've heard attached to the Orioles once the free-agent market opens, Michael Cuddyer could make the most sense.

I anticipate the Orioles making a run at him, now that his four-year, $33.5 million contract with the Twins has expired.

Cuddyer, 32, batted .285 with 29 doubles, two triples, 20 homers, 70 RBIs and an .805 OPS in 139 games this season. He's accumulated 100 doubles, 66 homers and 245 RBIs the past three seasons over 449 games.

His versatility is a major plus. He played 77 games in right field this year, 46 at first base and 17 at second. He also served as the Twins' designated hitter eight times, and actually pitched one inning. In his career, he's played 670 games in right, 210 at first, 171 at third, 79 at second, nine in left and six in center.

The Orioles need a Plan A or B regarding second baseman Brian Roberts, depending how you view the situation. Cuddyer is the exact type of player the Orioles need to bring in: Someone who can move around if Roberts is healthy.

Cuddyer was born in Norfolk, Va. and attended high school in Chesapeake. His agent is Casey Close, one of the really good guys in the business. He's a career .290 hitter against left-handers. He's a career .340 hitter with a .970 OPS in 31 games at Camden Yards.

Works for me.

Just ignore the career .230 average against the Yankees.

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/10/for-tomorrow-1.html

[MarylandAaron]

Reminds me of another Ty Wigginton or Aubrey Huff or Kevin Millar signing personally. I'll pass, time to let Reimold sink or swim.

[section18]

I like Cuddyer for his consistency and versatility and think we will try to sign him. I have seen him play a number of times at OP and am not surprised with his stats here. Watching him play from the stands he appears to be a solid player and will easily fit our payroll.

[sangar]

Cuddyer just had a very good year at 32 and he is going to want a 3 or 4 year deal. If we could sign him for two I'd take a look but I don't see it happening.

[El Gordo]

Reminds me of another Ty Wigginton or Aubrey Huff or Kevin Millar signing personally. I'll pass, time to let Reimold sink or swim.

This is a poor comparison. Cuddyer is much better than Wigginton, Huff, or Millar when we got them. He can help us at a number of positions, That's his value. He can play 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, and RF. The question is the size of the contract he is offered.

[SilentJames]

I read this as well. I could hear SG's head exploding.

[JTrea81]

As a complementary piece, fine. As a full time starter for 1B - no way.

The Orioles need to do better than Cuddyer as the "big bat" they add this offseason.

I think the Rockies will sign him anyway as they've had a big interest in him for some time.

[section18]

The following quotes were prior to the past season starting;

Last updated: 01/30/11 at 01:47 PST by Allan Teruel

Minnesota Twins' outfielder, Michael Cuddyer, is entering the final year of his contract on a one-year, $10.5 million option, and according to MLB.com's Kelly Thesier, Cuddyer and the team have not spoken this winter about a contract extension. Cuddyer doesn't seem worried, but rather he's focused on the upcoming season.

“I don't play for contracts,” Cuddyer said. “I mean it's part of the game and I know that, I'm not naive. But at the same time, it's not No. 1 on my list. No. 1 on my list is winning ballgames. And as of right now, I'm a Minnesota Twin and I want to win as a Minnesota Twin. If it is my last year, I would like to finish the goal that we started back in 1997 when I was drafted.”

The following is from an August story;

Twins Talked Extension With Cuddyer

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [August 5, 2011 at 11:16am CST]

The Twins recently approached Michael Cuddyer about a contract extension, floating a two-year, $16MM deal, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The conversations didn’t progress from there, as Cuddyer appears to prefer to postpone negotiations until after the season, when he hits free agency.

Cuddyer and GM Bill Smith declined to comment on the discussions, which occurred after Sunday’s trade deadline, according to Christensen. A two-year, $16MM deal would represent a pay cut for the versatile Cuddyer, who earns $10.5MM this year. The 32-year-old, who projects as a Type A free agent, has made it clear that he hopes to remain in Minnesota.

A Twins fan wrote the following; The problem here is that the condition of giving up a draft pick would be predicated on the Twins offering Cuddyer arbitration. If the Twins offered arbitration, I can guarantee you that Cuddyer will accept and he'll get a hefty raise. This is where the Twins erred by not trading Cuddyer before the deadline. They could have gotten something for him then, and then tried to re-sign him after the season.

[Sports Guy]

As a complementary piece, fine. As a full time starter for 1B - no way.

The Orioles need to do better than Cuddyer as the "big bat" they add this offseason.

I think the Rockies will sign him anyway as they've had a big interest in him for some time.

As any piece, he is an awful idea.

[JTrea81]

As any piece, he is an awful idea.

Depends on the contract and what else we add. Cuddyer is still more productive than most of the bats on our roster including Nick Markakis.

[Sports Guy]

Depends on the contract and what else we add. Cuddyer is still more productive than most of the bats on our roster including Nick Markakis.

Only you would think he would be a good piece...you love the aging, crappy mid level vets signed to dumb contracts.

[JTrea81]

Only you would think he would be a good piece...you love the aging, crappy mid level vets signed to dumb contracts.

Again it depends on what else we add. If the Orioles are going all-in, I'd rather see Cuddyer than Nolan Reimold as you know what Cuddyer can do as he's a 3.0 WAR player.

Cuddyer seems like BJ Surhoff circa 1996 only he's 1 year older. He's not a main piece by any means, but he does improve your ballclub.

[jabba72]

Like someone else said. Consistency. The Orioles dont have it. In LF or DH. Cuddyer provides it. Need a couple SP's as well. Maybe a new DH? Im not sure whats happening with that situation. I doubt Vlad is returning.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Again it depends on what else we add. If the Orioles are going all-in, I'd rather see Cuddyer than Nolan Reimold as you know what Cuddyer can do as he's a 3.0 WAR player.

Cuddyer seems like BJ Surhoff circa 1996 only he's 1 year older. He's not a main piece by any means, but he does improve your ballclub.

He's been a 3 fwar twice in his career. He's an average 2 fwar over the past 7 years. He's a waste of a signing. Rather see /Davis/Reimold/Andino/Adams. Oh, he's looking for a 10 mil/year salary (2-3 years) and he's class "A" free agent. Even dumber to sign this guy.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Reminds me of another Ty Wigginton or Aubrey Huff or Kevin Millar signing personally. I'll pass, time to let Reimold sink or swim.

Pretty close. Cuddyer is flexible enough to stink at more positions I guess.