Not a great return on 10 million dollars. Defensive metrics rated him poorly in the outfield, and as a result he managed only 0.7 WAR. He only managed 394 PA and a 101 wRC+ (in other words, 1 percent better than an average hitter) while fighting an oblique injury. His last three years in Minnesota were pretty good Cuddyer averaged 636 plate appearances and a 116 wRC+. He was to be another legitimate threat in the lineup behind Cargo and Tulo. The Rockies hoped they were acquiring a durable, consistent veteran to plug into right field for the departing Seth Smith, and possibly as a Helton replacement down the road. The terms: 3 years, $31.5M, the biggest contract the Rockies had ever given a position player from outside the organization. So they went a-knocking on Michael Cuddyer's front door (or called his agent, whatever). The pitching was going to be a question mark, but the front office wanted one more consistent offensive performer. The core was still intact and the under-performers were mostly jettisoned. 2011 was a disappointing year, but it felt like an outlier. But the worst case scenario happened and the Rockies stumbled to a 73 and 89 record.Īnyway, I don't mean to dredge up bad memories, but that sets the context for the 2012 off season. The rotation looked really solid after Ubaldo's huge 2010, and Jhoulys Chacin, Jason Hammel, and de la Rosa were coming back. Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki were coming off huge, healthy years (well, Tulo missed a month, but what else is new). In the four seasons from 2007 through 2010, the Rockies had 3 winning years. They threw in the towel at the trade deadline and shipped Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland. Jorge de la Rosa's arm went kablooie in May, every acquisition disappointed, and Ty Wigginton got 446 at bats. 2011 was a big disappointment after a hot start, the Rockies performed a long slow fade through the rest of the year. Or just use your memory that's probably easier. Let's jump in our time machines and travel back to the off season between 20.
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