Rockies lose Cuddyer, compensated with additional high draft choice
The Denver Post
AP | MLBPV AP
What now?
The Rockies on Monday lost veteran outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who signed with the New York Mets. So what’s next for Colorado? Beat writer Patrick Saunders takes a look:
1. Find more pitching
They don’t need to replace Cuddyer. Rather, they need to use the $15.3 million they were willing to pay Cuddyer to replace starter Brett Anderson and possibly add bullpen help.
2. Decide on a catcher
Should Wilin Rosario stay or go? The Rockies might prefer trading him for a more defensive-minded catcher in order to help their young pitching staff. The jury is still out.
3. Listen for the big fish
Is it time to trade Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez? The Rockies are willing to listen, but a deal is not imminent. What will the market say?
PHOENIX — New Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich had his game plan in place as he approached a major move in his first offseason as the boss.
Plan A: Try to sign Michael Cuddyer to a multiyear contract.
Plan B: Extend a $15.3 million qualifying offer to the outfielder and first baseman to keep him for a year, while still trying to negotiate a multiyear deal.
Plan C: Lose him to another team, but gain a draft choice at the end of next year’s first round.
As it turned out, Bridich was forced to settle on Plan C when the New York Mets signed the 35-year-old Cuddyer to a two-year, $21 million contract Monday.
“We kept the one-year deal open and it kept the multiyear deal potentiality open,” Bridich said. “If that didn’t work out, we get a draft pick. That’s what happened. … We wanted Cuddy back. We love the guy. The Mets just signed a great human being.”
To read the rest of this story, go to http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_26911355/rockies-compensated-additional-high-draft-choice
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