Colorado Rockies Introduce RF Michael Cuddyer

The Colorado Rockies held a press conference to announce the signing of free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract last Friday and arrived in Denver on Tuesday to finalize the contract.

In announcing the signing, general manager Dan O'Dowed mentioned that Cuddyer will play right field. This will move Carlos Gonzalez out of that position and into left field. However, we can expect Cuddyer to receive some playing time at first base to spell Todd Helton (trading Ty Wigginton opened up that role).

Cuddey will wear No. 3 on his jersey with the Rockies to honor his friend and MLB Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. Killebrew died on May 17, 2011. Cuddyer wrote a touching memorial for Killebrew back in May.

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Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies Agree To Three-Year, $31.5 Million Contract , According To Report

The Colorado Rockies had been targeting free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer for weeks now, and now the team has agreed to terms with Cuddyer on a three-year, $31.5 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Here is exactly what Heyman had to say about the deal, via Twitter:

cuddyer and rockies are putting finishing touches on contract. big deal for them. good rh hitter, great in clubhouse

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 16, 2011

cuddyer gets 31.5M over 3 years from colorado.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 16, 2011

Cuddyer was known to be looking to make more than $30 million over three years, which eliminated the Twins and their  three-year, $25 million offer from his consideration. Looks like Cuddyer got what he wanted out of the market and will be happy to join the Rockies. Cuddyer, 32, played 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and hit .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI in 2011. He is expected to start in left field for the Rockies.      

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MLB Free Agency 2011: Michael Cuddyer Expected To Sign With Colorado Rockies On Friday, According To Report

The Colorado Rockies have been aggressively pursuing free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer in recent weeks and are known to prefer Cuddyer to fall-back option Carlos Beltran, and now the team is very close to signing Cuddyer to a long-term deal on Friday, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Here is exactly what Renck had to say, via Twitter:

Rockies, barring any surprises, hope to wrap up Cuddyer signing today. All signs pointing toward them landing the free agent

— Troy Renck, Rockies (@TroyRenck) December 16, 2011

Cuddyer is looking to make more than $30 million over three years, and so far the Rockies have made themselves finalists for his services by initially outbidding his former team, the Minnesota Twins, who offered three-years, $25 million and then took themselves out of the bidding by signing Josh Willingham on Thursday. The veteran outfielder will turn 33 next year, and has spent the last 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He hit .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI in 2011.    

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2011 MLB Hot Stove: Rockies Prefer Michael Cuddyer Over Calros Beltran

The Colorado Rockies, in search of a power-hitting outfielder, appear to prefer former Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer than free agent Giants outfielder Carlos Beltran according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick:

The #Rockies are leaning more toward Michael Cuddyer than Carlos Beltran in their pursuit of an outfielder, BB source says

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 15, 2011

Cuddyer, who played first base, second base, right field and even pitched an inning in 2011, hit 20 homers with an impressive .284/.346/.459 slash. Turning 33 in March, Cuddyer has played all his 11 MLB season with the Minnesota Twins.

The soon-to-be 35-year-old Carlos Beltran finished the season with the San Francisco Giants, hitting 22 homers and a powerful .300/.385/.525 slash.

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MLB Free Agency 2011: Troy Tulowitzki Wants Michael Cuddyer On Rockies Too

The Colorado Rockies have been interested in signing free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer, and franchise cornerstone Troy Tulowitzki hopes the team closes the deal. Troy Renck of the Denver Post is covering some team off-season workouts in Las Vegas, and the star shortstop opened up about his desire for the team to add a proven slugger like Cuddyer to the mix:

"I think our lineup is one of the better ones in the National League, but it would be huge to get another bat," Tulowitzki said Wednesday. "I have heard nothing but good things about Cuddyer."

via the Denver Post. Cuddyer is looking to make more than $30 million over three years, and so far the Rockies have made themselves finalists for his services by initially outbidding his former team, the Minnesota Twins, who offered three-years, $25 million and are now close to reaching an agreement with Josh Willingham.

The Rockies have been looking for an upgrade in left field and for a power right-handed bat to provide Tulowitzki protection in the lineup, and now appear to be bidding against the Seattle Mariners for Cuddyer's services. If they lose out on him, the team has targeted Carlos Beltran as the secondary option to fill their needs.

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2011 MLB Hot Stove: Colorado Rockies And At Least One Other Team Have A Shot At Michael Cuddyer, According To Report

According to a report from Fox Sports' Jon Morosi, the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox are out of the running for Michael Cuddyer, while the Colorado Rockies and "at least one other team" have a shot at signing the free agent outfielder.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman says the Rockies' offer to Cuddyer was better than the offer from the Twins:

#rockies offer to cuddyer was more than the #twins losing bid of $25M for 3 yrs. cuddyer seeking to make $30M-plus.

If Heyman's report is accurate, the Rockies and Cuddyer may not be very far apart at this point. If they've already exceeded a $25 million offer, they may be close enough to what Cuddyer wants to make a compromise feasible.

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MLB Rumors 2011: Carlos Beltran Targeted By Rockies Along With Michael Cuddyer, According To Report

It's no secret the Colorado Rockies are looking to upgrade their situation in left field from incumbent starter Seth Smith, and now they are focusing in on getting either Carlos Beltran or Michael Cuddyer in the free agent market, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Here is what Heyman offered via Twitter:

The 34-year old Beltran would seem to be an interesting option, as he hasn't seen much action in the free agent market so far and might come at a nice price. In 2011 he hit .300/.385/.525 for the New York Mets over 142 games.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins are the primary competition for Cuddyer, and now it appears the Rockies own the highest formal bid at this point. Cuddyer, who will turn 33 next year, has spent the last 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He hit .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI in 2011.    

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2011 MLB Hot Stove: Colorado Rockies Have Not Made An Offer To Michael Cuddyer

ESPN's Jim Bowden spoke with Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd on Monday and was told that the Rockies have yet to make an offer to free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer. Money could be the holdup:

Cuddyer, who will turn 33 next year, has spent the last 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He hit .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI last season.

If the money proves too much for Colorado, they could turn to Josh Willingham, who figures to be a cheaper outfield option.

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Rockies Rumors: Colorado Wants Michael Cuddyer, Views Josh Willingham As Plan B

The Colorado Rockies clearly aren't satisfied with Seth Smith as their primary left fielder, so they've been out on the prowl looking for possible targets. According to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, the Rockies are focused on acquiring free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer, but they view fellow free agent Josh Willigham as a possible alternative should those efforts fail.

Rumored ties between Colorado and Cuddyer have been going on for a while now. It appears that the Minnesota Twins, Cuddyer's former team, are the Rockies' primary challenger to completing a deal. Previous reports have said that Cuddyer is seeking a long-term deal and the Twins have offered him three years guaranteed, but that offer from Minnesota hasn't been confirmed yet.

Willingham is reportedly garnering major interest from the Twins and the Cleveland Indians in addition to the Rockies. He'll likely come cheaper than Cuddyer given that teams seem to really appreciate Cuddyer's defensive versatility. 

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2011 MLB Rumors: Colorado Rockies Considering 3-Year Deal For Michael Cuddyer, Not Considering Josh Willingham

According to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies may have a strong chance at signing free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer:

The Rockies' willingness to consider a three-year deal for Michael Cuddyer has made them a serious suitor for the free-agent outfielder.

 

The Rockies would need to give at least a three-year deal to Cuddyer since the Minnesota Twins have reportedly also offered him a deal for that many years and for $25 million. The Rockies did gain financial help by trading Huston Street, but it remains to be seen how the Rockies want to approach that.

Cuddyer has played all 11 years of his MLB career with the Twins. The versatile outfielder -- who even started 17 games at second base in 2011 -- turns 33 in March. In his 2011 season, Cuddyer culled a strong .284/.346/.459 slash, hitting 20 homers and stealing a career-high 11 bases.

Renck also reports that the earlier rumors of the Rockies' interest in free agent outfielder and DH Josh Willingham were largely unfounded. At the moment, they are not pursuing Willingham, Renck reports.

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