When the Colorado Rockies extended a qualifying offer to 36-year-old outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who is coming off a productive, but injury-shortened season, the assumption was that we’d just seen the first player accept a qualifying offer. That Cuddyer couldn’t do better than a one-year, $15.3 million deal on the open market, especially with draft pick compensation attached, was a given.
Except the Mets have apparently agreed to sign him for two years and $21 million (Jon Heyman). Amazingly, they will now give up the 15th overall pick next year for the privilege. I can’t quite wrap my head around this one. Yes, it’s a good contract for the Mets, but given the risks and the draft pick?
Perhaps we’ll now see the Mets make an even more aggressive push to add pieces for the next few years (like a certain shortstop?). The signing probably also takes the Mets out of the outfield trade market, which could have eventual implications for the Cubs.
In any case, this is a huge surprise. And the offseason is just starting.