Mets New Left Fielder

[stringer bell]

36 year old Michael Cuddyer is going to be a regular left fielder for the Mets. The Mets incumbent OFs are perceived Gold Glove candidate Juan Legares and former Detroit and Yankee CF Curtis Granderson. Granderson played right last year for the Mets and offered to play left to accommodate Cuddyer. Manager Terry Collins is going with Cuddyer in left and Granderson in right.

 

Would the Twins do this? History says no. If Cuddyer was willing to play left, I would have rather had him than Torii, but that is just me.

[ashbury]

I seem to recall that Cuddyer plays right field due to deafness in one ear.

[Thrylos]

The choice between the mouths of Cuddyer and Hunter and their diminished skills...

 

Indeed. Hunter was a prima donna and would not play left for the Twins. Or third base.   I think that the Twins would be better with somebody else.

[USAFChief]

 

The choice between the mouths of Cuddyer and Hunter and their diminished skills...

 

Indeed. Hunter was a prima donna and would not play left for the Twins. Or third base.   I think that the Twins would be better with somebody else.

I think we'd all agree we're better off with Hunter not playing third for the Twins.

[stringer bell]

I just installed a new browser.  I want to see if it continues to provide the same problems the old one did.  Still doesn't skip spaces when a new sentence is started.

 

Maybe I can quote easier. 

 

Back on topic, I haven't been happy with what I see is the one season-long move of Arcia to left field.  If the Twins could have signed Cuddy to play left--and he doesn't suffer more disabling injuries--he would be the better choice. 

[Thrylos]

 

I think we'd all agree we're better off with Hunter not playing third for the Twins.

 

I know at least one person who prefers him at third over Plouffe

[jimmer]

 

The choice between the mouths of Cuddyer and Hunter and their diminished skills...

 

Indeed. Hunter was a prima donna and would not play left for the Twins. Or third base.   I think that the Twins would be better with somebody else.

In order for Cuddyer to have diminishing skills in the OF wouldn't he had have to have some skill out there to begin with? :-) Other than his arm, he wasn't exactly a good defender out there even in his prime.  Though, in fairness, he worked that baggy.

[stringer bell]

 

In order for Cuddyer to have diminishing skills in the OF wouldn't he had have to have some skill out there to begin with? :-) Other than his arm, he wasn't exactly a good defender out there even in his prime.  Though, in fairness, he worked that baggy.

Yes, Cuddyer has graded out among the poorest defenders in the outfield year after year.  Yet, when he left the Twins he got a pretty big contract and now he is making 8 figures as a free agent signee with the Mets.

 

[jimmer]

what were they thinking?  GO CUDDY!

[Mike Sixel]

I prefer the 1 year deal for Hunter.....if Arcia could have stayed in RF, that would have been even better, imo. So, ya, if you are choosing between the 2, I think the Twins were correct.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Cuddyer would also have cost another draft pick, yes?

 

It was a pretty curious choice by the Mets to sign him, just based on the roster they have, though I can see a lot of the reasoning that brought Torii to MIN at work in getting Cuddyer to NYM. 

 

[dxpavelka]

 

Yes, Cuddyer has graded out among the poorest defenders in the outfield year after year.  Yet, when he left the Twins he got a pretty big contract and now he is making 8 figures as a free agent signee with the Mets.

And the Mets history of player acquisition is unparalleled.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Cuddyer would also have cost another draft pick, yes?

Correct.  Although it was more costly for the Mets, who didn't have a protected first rounder.  The Twins would have lost their 3rd rounder instead (or some equivalent).

[nicksaviking]

 

I prefer the 1 year deal for Hunter.....

 

 

Cuddyer would also have cost another draft pick, yes?

 

 

Yes and Yes.  If the team wasn't going to be putting another rookie in the OF to start the season, I wouldn't if the Twins put Tom Brunansky back in RF.  My preference is to have as few players over 30 on this team as possible going forward.  It's not happening this year clearly, but fingers crossed for next year.  Two year deals to a 36-year old that also requires the forfieture of a draft pick hopefully was never considered, even as much as I like Michael Cuddyer.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Before the Qualifying offer from the Rockies, I probably would have said Cuddyer over Hunter (on a one year deal only) if it was a question of picking between only those two options.

 

I was really hoping for the Twins to get Rasmus, Melky Cabrera, or someone defensive minded for CF...

 

I think Cuddyer will not be the Mets' biggest weakness, and if he stays healthy, I think he can actually help that team win some games. Not the choice I would have made in the first place, but he's a good hitter and the Mets need some of those...