NEW YORK — The New York Mets made baseball’s first splash of the offseason, agreeing Monday to a two-year contract with two-time All-Star outfielder Michael Cuddyer worth about $21 million.
The 2013 National League batting champion became the first top free agent to switch teams since the World Series. Cuddyer, who turns 36 in March, had until later in the day to decide whether to accept a $15.3 million qualifying offer from the Colorado Rockies.
Cuddyer hit .332 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs this year in a season interrupted by injuries.
He was limited to 49 games and was on the disabled list three times because of a strained left shoulder and a strained left hamstring. From mid-April to early September, he spent of a part of each month on the DL.
The Mets went 79-83 last season and are hoping to contend for a playoff spot next year, boosted by a strong rotation helped by the return of ace Matt Harvey from Tommy John surgery.
New York hit .239 as a team last year, 28th in the majors, and wanted to add a hitter or two this offseason. Their fans pointed to another stat — playing in a major market, they finished the regular season 21st in payroll at under $93 million — and hoped the team would spend what it took to improve.
Cuddyer made 35 starts in right field last year, along with 11 at first base and two at third base.
Cuddyer hit .331 with the Rockies in 2013, along with 20 home runs and 84 RBIs. He was the NL’s starting designated hitter in the All-Star game that year at Citi Field.
The Mets are moving in the fences in right field at Citi Field for next season. A right-hander hitter, Cuddyer has sprayed the ball around over the years.
Cuddyer is a .279 hitter with a .347 on-base percentage in 14 seasons with Colorado and Minnesota, and hit a career-high 32 homers in 2009 with the Twins.
By signing Cuddyer, the Mets lose their first-round draft pick in June, the 15th choice overall.
Photo via Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports Images
