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Michael Cuddyer Is Perfect Signing For New York Mets

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By @BZarp

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It didn’t take long for general manager Sandy Alderson and the New York Mets to get their offseason started, and they did it with a near-perfect move by signing free agent Michael Cuddyer. Aside from having to sacrifice next year’s first round draft pick, Cuddyer is a perfect fit for the Mets and a great addition to their roster in preparation for the 2015 season.

Cuddyer helps the Mets address two of their offseason needs: a corner outfielder and a right-handed platoon partner with Lucas Duda at first base. Although he’s coming off a down season in which he only played in 49 games, Cuddyer has a long track record of success. He has both the patience the Mets covet in hitters, as well as the power that the team desperately needs in the middle of their lineup, as Cuddyer has had an OPS over .800 in five of the last six years. He also has a history of crushing lefties, which will help him balance out a lineup that includes lefties like Duda, Daniel Murphy and Curtis Granderson.

Despite Duda hitting 30 home runs in 2014, he struggled against lefties, and now with Cuddyer, the Mets have a right-handed bat who can take Duda out of the lineup against lefties. The rest of the time, Cuddyer will play in right field, giving the Mets the kind of power and production coming from the outfield that they’ve lacked in recent years. The addition of Cuddyer in right field will push Granderson to left field, a position he’s better suited to play defensively.

The terms of Cuddyer’s contract, two years and $21 million, is also perfect for the Mets. With promising outfield prospects Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto expected to rise fast through the farm system over the next year or two, the Mets needed a short-term solution in the outfield, and that’s exactly what Cuddyer gives them. By the time one or both are ready for full-time duty in the majors, Cuddyer’s contract will be expired, or close to.

Finally, Cuddyer is a great addition to the Mets’ clubhouse. He’s a long-time friend of Mets captain David Wright, and the trio of Wright, Cuddyer and Granderson will give the Mets a profound veteran presence in the clubhouse to help lead an otherwise young team. Cuddyer also has more than 20 games of postseason experience on his resume and has been in a playoff chase before, which will be important should the Mets find themselves playing meaningful games next September.

It’s important to remember that the Mets made a disastrous decision by signing Chris Young far too early last offseason, but history is unlikely to repeat with the signing of Cuddyer. He’s a professional hitter with a long track record of success who will be perfect in the clubhouse and has a history of being a part of winning teams. More importantly, he’s a right-handed hitter with power that will help the Mets fill openings at first base and in the outfield, making him a near-perfect signing to get the offseason started.

Bryan Zarpentine is a New York Mets writer at www.RantSports.com.  Like him on Facebook, follow him on twitter @BZarp and add him on Google.

Related:
 New York Mets: Top 5 Offseason Needs
 Michael Cuddyer Signing A Foolish Move By New York Mets
 New York Mets Ready To Contend With Addition of Michael Cuddyer 

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