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« Recent Trades | Main | Odds & Ends: Brewers, Pierre, Webb, Mariners »
Twins Exercise 2011 Option For Michael Cuddyer
According to a team press release, the Twins have exercised their 2011 option for Michael Cuddyer. They had until five days after the 2009 World Series to either pick up or decline the option. Cuddyer will earn $10.5MM in 2011 instead of a $1MM buyout.
The 30-year-old Cuddyer hit .276/.342/.520 with 34 doubles and 32 homers last year. He spent most of the season in his customary right field, though he took over first base after Justin Morneau went down with a season ending injury.
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I think this was a pretty obvious choice after the season he had and trading away gomez.
Posted by: mewruler | November 07, 2009 at 11:09 AM
32 homers, actually.
Posted by: kalarson | November 07, 2009 at 11:11 AM
You have a typo. Cuddyer hit 32 HR last year, not 21.
Posted by: weareoffthemark.wordpress.com | November 07, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I know, I fixed the homer typo. Typepad is lagging just a bit.
That's what I get for hitting the number pad without looking.
Posted by: Mike Axisa | November 07, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Seems a little too high of a price to pay...10.5M is a lot for Cuddyer
Posted by: Arock1234 | November 07, 2009 at 11:35 AM
This may be a dumb question, but why did the Twins have to exercise their 2011 option for Cuddyer before the 2010 season? Is that a clause in his contract or something?
Posted by: PhinaLeeWPhC | November 07, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Reading it again, it sounds like it is. Weird clause though... Lol
Posted by: PhinaLeeWPhC | November 07, 2009 at 11:47 AM
It's not unheard of... I know the D'Backs had the same clause with Jon Rauch for 2010 following the 2008 World Series.
Posted by: MorneauVP | November 07, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Seems a little too high of a price to pay...10.5M is a lot for Cuddyer
Posted by: Arock1234 | November 07, 2009 at 11:35 AM
--------------------------
Compared to what? Hitters with stat-lines like that who are also capable of playing multiple positions with any degree of skill aren't exactly a dime a dozen.
Posted by: Timotheus | November 07, 2009 at 12:17 PM
If i am a Twins fan right now I am saying to myself all we need to do is sign Orlando Cabrera maybe MAYBE get another hitter and then get a couple good arms and i can vision ourselves going to the playoffs. Since Twins are low on money I say just sign some arms but i can totally see them in the playoffs... but watch out for the Royals... I am DEAD SERIOUS
Posted by: Black-And-Proud | November 07, 2009 at 12:17 PM
So how much is he earning in 2010? The option won't look so bad as long as he can stay healthy and continue putting up the numbers he did last year. Also an off topic question but how come Cuddyer moved from 3rd base to right field in 2006? Was he just bad defensively at 3rd? Because the Twins at the time never had a legit candidate to play 3rd at the time after Cuddyer moved to right field. Just curious.
Posted by: It's Giant's Time! | November 07, 2009 at 12:18 PM
BTW Cudyer deserves 10.5m this year he will go .300/35/115 that is WORTH it well better than Aaron Rowand and Edgar renteria deserves 2/18m???
Posted by: Black-And-Proud | November 07, 2009 at 12:19 PM
@Black-And-Proud
Why would the Twins need O-Cab? Do you put him at third or second?
Posted by: bbxxj | November 07, 2009 at 12:29 PM
There is no way Michael Cuddyer would get $10.5MM on the open market. The Twins overpaid pretty bad right here.
Posted by: recca | November 07, 2009 at 12:33 PM
So how much is he earning in 2010? The option won't look so bad as long as he can stay healthy and continue putting up the numbers he did last year. Also an off topic question but how come Cuddyer moved from 3rd base to right field in 2006? Was he just bad defensively at 3rd? Because the Twins at the time never had a legit candidate to play 3rd at the time after Cuddyer moved to right field. Just curious.
Posted by: It's Giant's Time! | November 07, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Cuddyer sucked at third.
Posted by: brady | November 07, 2009 at 12:47 PM
The Twins can't afford this risk. It's a stupid contract. Bobby Abreu got a one-year $5 million deal going into 2009, not even $20 over two years after producing big this year. And Cuddyer? After struggling for years, gets $10.5 guaranteed the year after next? Ridiculous. Who are the Twins? The Yankees? They can't afford to blow their money, and they could have gotten comparable talent for a better price.
Posted by: The Management | November 07, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Even though I'm a tribe fan, it's nice to see that the Twins can spend some money and raise their payroll with their new stadium. I hope they keep Mauer too, it's good for baseball if smaller markets can keep their stars.
Posted by: Alex Trebek | November 07, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Both Abreu and Cuddyer have 2/$19M guaranteed. I think Cuddyer is a better bet to be worth that much due to their sage and Abreu's back issues (they haven't landed him on the DL but back problems are always a concern).
In addition, Angels are taking on the risk of a vesting option for 2012. If the Angels are in the hunt for a playoff and Abreu is not playing well, but better than any other alternative they have, they could be stuck for another $8M in in 2012. Like the Tigers and Magglio Ordonez this year (but only half as bad).
Posted by: jwb | November 07, 2009 at 01:28 PM
sage = ages,
playoff spot
and n tilde doesn't work in preview but Ordoez
Posted by: jwb | November 07, 2009 at 01:32 PM
2/19 (what he is now owed) is a hefty contract, no doubt. But it is within reason of the FA market, and Cuddyer is a organization guy who has posted very strong seasons in 3 of the last 4 years who comes with similar to better production with fewer questions then guys making in the same dollar range on other clubs (Abreu, Bradley, Pierre, GMJ, excreta). And because it will be over during his age 32 season, they arent paying for the likely big-downturn seasons of his career. Cant really fault the Twins for this move - isnt a great deal, but within reason. It also helps show other potential internal FA they are willing to spend to keep the club together, and that is important.
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 07, 2009 at 01:56 PM
"Cuddyer is a organization guy who has posted very strong seasons in 3 of the last 4 years"
His bad season was due to non-chronic injuries, so those shouldn't be a concern. 2007 wasn't very strong, how about "average to very strong?" But I agree with you otherwise. I just focused on the Abreu contract because it is similar and recent and these two deals are likely to define the market for corner outfielders this off-season.
Posted by: jwb | November 07, 2009 at 02:47 PM
10.5 million these days for a guy that can hit .275 and hit 30 hr and drive in 90 plus while playing adequate defense is pretty good. Which would you rather pay 10 mill a year to. Gary Matthews Jr. or Cuddyer? It's not even close.
Posted by: wes37walz | November 07, 2009 at 03:15 PM
The underlying story to the recent Twins transactions is the extension of Joe Mauer.
It shouldn't be a surprise that J.J. Hardy is good friends with Mauer, having played together on Team USA in 2000 and 2003 and keeping in contact as Pros.
The Twins organization has spent more than ever with international signs with Miguel Angel Sano topping the list and Max Kepler-Rozycki and Jorge Polanco also getting attention.
The exercising of Cuddyer's 2011 option is sending a message to internal FAs (Span, Baker, Slowey, Guerrier, etc) that they have a future in MN. Also showing Mauer that they will keep their good talent.
The next steps in my opinion: Sign Carl Pavano to a 2-year deal ($6-7 million a year?) and make a run at another SP, maybe Jon Garland (potentially for the same 2/14 type contract). Re-sign Joe Crede to another incentive laden deal, or make an offer to Adrian Beltre. This should be enough to get Mauer to give that "hometown discount" and sign for something like a 8-year, $150 million contract.
Posted by: NickL1538 | November 07, 2009 at 03:26 PM
He may not be worth the full 10.5 but would probably be close.
Its just easier to exercise it and lock him in, rather than risking losing him to FA and not finding a suitable replacement elsewhere.
Posted by: quintjs | November 07, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Good insight NickL
I have also heard that Cuddy is a popular clubhouse guy and is certainly a fan favorite. Sometimes its worth the price to keep those guys around. (Sigh, Torii)
Posted by: ajhanso1 | November 07, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Excellent move by the Twins in locking Cuddyer for the next two years. He is a player that is just now reaching his prime years. Cyddy might be one of the most underrated players in the game today.
Posted by: HoratioAlgae | November 08, 2009 at 03:42 AM
It is also good to have a little continuity on a team, and cuddy is a gret guy for that price and at his age. Can Hardy play 3rd base? ~ he looks like a 3rd bagger (sturdy frame). If so we could sign O-Cab and keep him a SS.
Posted by: Tank345 | November 08, 2009 at 07:16 AM
I don't understand why everyone wants to re-sign Orlando Cabrera. I know that he did a great job in the last part of the season, but he isn't a long term option. If we sign him to a 2-year deal it is going to end the same way as Craig Monroe and Livan Hernandez's stays in MN. Cabrera turned 35 and shouldn't be starting at SS because of his defensive liability. Putting Hardy at SS is the best decision for the long term. Now we just need to figure out 3B.
Posted by: NickL1538 | November 08, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Dont forget Cuddyer didnt only put up solid numbers behind the plate, he's one of the hardest outfielders to run to third on plus a decent glove so he's a solid player and when morneau comes back and a few other key additions the twins will have a solid team. Were gonna have to do something because I'm sick of losing to the damn yankees every time we make the playoffs. And personally I think that's starts with keeping cuddyer. And second I think they should make a strong push for adrian beltre at 3rd, but it's highly unlikely considering twins were part of his not trade clause while in seattle.
Posted by: wobigs | November 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM