Just Mets

At the conclusion of the 2014 season, one of the parts they were clearly lacking was a productive corner outfielder. The a Mets addressed that need seemingly immediately when they signed OF Michael Cuddyer to a two-year contract.

But what else were the Mets buying in Cuddyer?

His track record suggests he can go a long way towards filling their void in the outfield. But it’s also clear they were seeking more than offense when they went shopping for an outfielder over the winter, something you and I may not see during the telecast. 

In observing Cuddyer this spring, players seem to flock to him. When he talks, they listen; when he walks in, people pay attention. Whether it’s performing magic tricks or talking shop, he has a very large audience among his teammates. He seems to be a natural leader just by his voice, mannerisms, and attention he draws to himself.

But this is not something Cuddyer sets out to do.

“A lot of people have different definitions of a, ‘leader’ and ‘leadership.’ One thing you’ll notice in every leader is they are all authentic. They’re all genuine, they’re all themselves,” he explained. “They don’t try to be leader, they don’t try to be something they are not. That’s how I am – I am going to be who I am regardless of the situation, and if that’s somebody people look up to, great.”

Of course, Cuddyer is best known to outsiders for his offense, which has certainly been on display so far this spring. In 34 at-bats over 12 games this spring, Cuddyer has a team-leading five home runs, and is hitting .353 with a 1.254 OPS. But he takes pride in his versatility as well, which has ultimately helped keep his bat in the lineup on an everyday basis during his career.

“I’ve always taken pride in being a “baseball player.” First and foremost. Not a right fielder, or a first baseman. I feel like its the best compliment anyone can give you – it’s that they enjoy watching you, ‘playing baseball,’” Cuddyer recently explained to me. 

Cuddyer is expected to begin the season as the everyday left fielder, but his versatility could serve as an immediate benefit to Terry Collins and the Mets, thanks to his ability to play first base and right field in particular. For instance, he could spell Curtis Granderson or Lucas Duda against a tough left-handed pitcher or serve as longer-term injury replacements, both of which would afford more opportunities for John Mayberry Jr. as well.

Cuddyer could also serve as a useful piece off the bench when he has a day off – he’s a career .372 hitter in 50 pinch hit appearances, and a .326 hitter overall as a substitute.

“I take pride in giving the manager that flexibility,” Cuddyer said. “Does that mean he has to use it? No, but he has that option to be at least comfortable putting me in a spot to help the team in any given situation.”

Cuddyer has acknowledged the best years of his career undoubtedly came in the three years he was in Colorado. He won a batting title in 2013 when he hit .331 and he recorded an OPS of .900 or better in two of those seasons, although last year it was more abbreviated thanks be being plagued by a broken shoulder and a strained hamstring.

Still, Cuddyer attributes his success in Colorado to maturity more than the thin air, which he believes will help him in the lower elevation at Citi Field.

“I matured as a hitter, matured my approach as a hitter [while with the Rockies],” Cuddyer said. “You’re constantly trying to improve your game, both physically and mentally. There were things I was able to accomplish in Colorado on the mental side of it which helped me have success.”

“[With the Mets] I think I can at least sustain that mental approach,” he concluded.

Given the different conditions and other elements in play in New York, there’s doubt among experts he can produce at the levels he did in Denver. But Cuddyer believes his improved approach at the plate – along with his experiences outside of Denver – can result in an equivalent success here.

“A lot of people forget I played nine or ten years outside of Colorado. I played in two other stadiums – the Metrodome and Target Field. It’s not like I only played in Colorado,” he said. “Nobody can guarantee production, nobody can guarantee numbers. But, I can guarantee my approach and mental side of it will be the same.

That along with his influence are what the Mets are counting on over the next two years.