Twins Pick Up Michael Cuddyer's 2011 Option
by Jesse on Nov 7, 2009 12:41 PM EST
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PrintAnd here I was, writing about whether or not the Twins should actually do it....
Of course my conclusion was an adament "YES, YES THE TWINS SHOULD PICK UP CUDDY'S 2011 OPTION". Clearly I have a nose for these things.
Cuddyer's 2011 option is worth $10.5 million, but with the buyout an even million in its own right the Twins are essentially paying our right fielder $9.5 million for his services two years from now. Of course we all know that, as one of the team's leaders, Cuddyer hit .276/.342/.520 this past summer with career highs in home runs and slugging percentage.
There will be questions about whether or not Cuddles is worth that much money as a 32-year old right fielder whose range leaves a bit to be desired, but as far as I'm concerned this was a quality decision, and one that was more or less unavoidable.
This decision raises Minnesota's 2011 committments to roughly $42.6 million dollars: Justin Morneau ($15 MM), Joe Nathan ($11.25 MM), Cuddyer ($10.5 MM) and Scott Baker ($5.00 MM), as well as a $500K buyout for Nick Punto and a $350K buyout for Jason Kubel.
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The way he played down the stretch
There was no way the FO could not do this.
Good.
Now lets get Maurer done so we have nothing to talk about for the rest of the offseason.
My only question: If Morneau is worth 15 mil and Cuddyer is worth 10.5 mil what is Mauer worth and what will it take to sign him?
Mauer is worth
21 M a year. Cuddyer – 10.5, Morneau – 15, Mauer – 21. It works!
Sign Mauer to a 7 year – 120 M contract.
Trade for Dan Uggla.
Twins are set.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Happy news!
Cuddy was awesome down the stretch, he’s got a great personality, and while his range may not be great, he is a solid player. So glad the Twins kept him.
I have read, too, that he really wants to retire as a Twin. He loves it here. :)
by fischean on Nov 7, 2009 2:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I like the move
being a team leader down the stretch, filling in for Morneau. However, since his defense has been Delmon-esque (-22.1 and -13.4 UZR/150 last two years), he’ll have a tough time earning his contract without a good sized improvement. Even with last year’s offense, he was only a +2.0 WAR player.
contract
i like cuddy and think this is great. i do think you will see cuddy get a new contract before 2011 something with more years less money hes a team guy and wants to be in mn so it works for everyone
Jesse...I believe Morneau's 2011 salary is
…$14,000,000 which is the same amount he will be paid in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Doesn’t change your point however. The more likely amount is $47.350mm as they likely will not buy Kubel out of his $5.250mm contract. It is more likely that they will extend Kubel a year from now. As for Mauer, I look for him to sign a five year extension this winter at about $18mm per season with an additional $3-5mm at signing ($93-$95 total) which would increase his $12.5mm this year.
As for Cuddyer, his value goes beyond his play on the field and he sure proved that he is the best backup in the organization should Morneau be out a game or longer. That adds to his value and I think the Twins like the idea of having Cuddyer, Morneau and Mauer…three quality baseball players and people, represent them for their entire careers!
The Beard Approves...
…of another good move.
The beard abides.
by Jason Kubel's Beard on Nov 7, 2009 6:07 PM EST reply actions
WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
CUDDY!!!!!
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 7, 2009 6:22 PM EST reply actions
Just keep it coming Cuddy
I love Cuddyer’s homer stroke. It’s not super-smooth like Mauer, and it doesn’t look like he’s swinging for the Moon like Morneau or Kubel. It just looks like he’s making a 200-pound steel bat collide with the ball and letting physics take care of the rest.
For the price, I hope to see this 65 more times in the next two years.
I would definitely have picked up Cuddyer's option.
I don’t know if I’m late on this, but I’ve noticed that an anagram of “Morneau” is “No Mauer.” Has anyone else noticed this?
That anagram is kind of scary
Less frightening anagrams:
Nick Punto – Count Pink
Michael Cuddyer – Icy Mule Cheddar
Denard Span – Panda Nerds
Mike Redmond – Dimmed Krone
Delmon Young – Nude Gym Loon
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Nov 8, 2009 1:07 AM EST up reply actions
Panda Nerds.
Oh. My. God.
And Nude Gym Loon? Is that some twisted form of the rally loon? Yikes. Let’s keep him off the gamethreads. Por favor.
Nice
Wouldn’t it be better at the new stadium if, instead of the “Cuddy’s buddies” and “Morneau’s mounties” signs, they went with the anagram theme: Redmond’s dimmed krones, Span’s panda nerds, Punto’s pink counts, etc.
Hahaha.
Rally Nude Gym Loon!
Some others:
Kevin Slowey – Leon View Sky
Nick Blackburn – Crack Blink Bun
Jose Morales – Slam Joe Sore
Matt Guerrier – Trim Rug Eater
I love it...
makes for good stuff in any Mauer vs. Morneau “value” to the team argument.
To me, there’s no argument; never has been. It’s Mauer.
It's "The M&M Boys"
It’s not an either/or situation.
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 9, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions
Haha, no, I don't think anyone has.
But that is kinda interesting. Mauer vs. Morneau…the never-ending debate. Mauer has a slight edge for being from MN and all those batting titles. :)
IMO...
Mauer should be about to win his 3rd MVP.
I thought Mauer was better than Morneau in 2006 when you factor in defense and his position/effect on the staff. The debate was Morneau vs. Jeter. Mauer’s numbers were better than Jeter’s and obviously defense/position tips it in his favor, by a good deal.
In 2008, the debate was Morneau vs. Pedroia. Well, again, Pedroia and Mauer had very similar numbers, and when you look at defense/position, again, Mauer should get the edge. Though a healthy Quentin probably gets MVP in 2008 in my mind.
Still, for me it’s never been a question. Morneau’s a wonderful player, but I wouldn’t trade Mauer for anyone in the game, including Mr. Pujols.
I agree: Mauer is indispensable for this team.
I will say though, I don’t think Morneau is anything less than another fantastic player (when he’s healthy!). He plays great defense and clearly is a power hitter that would hurt the Twins’ lineup greatly if his bat were to ever leave. I really like Justin, as a player and as a personality, but Mauer, well…he’s pretty special to watch. We’re very lucky to have him, to say the very least.
Hummmmm.........
Maybe the Twins will average $5 million a player…$125 million payroll. Yipes! Really, though, not too far away to become the major league average someday!
Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!
I had a long response typed out that basically agreed with you, with a few added points
and then something went weird and it was all gone, so basically: +1. :\
Solely from a WAR standpoint
Neyer has a point. With Cuddyer’s defense, he may not “earn” the $10.5M, especially considering potential decline due to age.
However, as Neyer notes, Cuddyer’s projections are at least in the same ballpark, and considering the probably fan outrage if we had declined the option (“We’re moving into a brand new ballpark!”), it makes sense. He won’t be a bargain, but we can reasonably expect solid value.
Finally, as folks have noted elsewhere, it’s entirely possible that RFs in the Dome are hurt in UZR by the baggy. How does UZR treat a fly ball off the baggy? I don’t know. I know that MLB’s Gameday data only display where a ball is fielded, so my own fielding metrics based on this data would definitely penalize (until HitFx is rolled out).
Bottom line, Cuddyer’s no gold glover in right field, but my eyes don’t buy that he’s as bad as a -22.1 UZR/150 would indicate. As bad as Delmon Young is in RF?
by Adam Peterson on Nov 9, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
Twins have the pieces
I’d like to see the Twins experiment with moving Cuddyer to Third Base – his stint at 1st this past season and his willingness to play the position convinced me he could excel at it. That would allow Jason Kubel to be the everyday Right Fielder. With JJ Hardy at Shortstop, why not sign Orlando Cabrera and move him to 2nd base? The Twins would need some power at DH….Crede would be the default choice. He might be more useful if he was kept off the field so he wouldn’t reinjure his back. The Twins also have more serviceable pitchers than they need….trading for an aging NL power hitter might be a possibility.
No thanks
When Crede’s healthy, playing him in the field at 3B makes a lot more sense than putting Cuddyer (who would likely be well below average defensively at 3B) and Kubel (below average in RF) out there. Don’t put the gold glover in the DH spot.
by Adam Peterson on Nov 9, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
$$$
Cuddyer’s extension was for equivalent $$ as Bobby Abreu’s new contract with the Angels.
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