Michael Cuddyer and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $3.575 million, one-year contract Thursday, including a $50,000 bonus with 650 plate appearances in 2007. The two parties avoided arbitration just minutes before their scheduled hearing.
After making merely $1.35 million last year while posting career-best numbers in his first full season as a regular, the right-fielder asked for $4.25 million while the Twins offered $3 million. The sides were together in a room waiting to argue their cases before the three arbitrators when they walked out and settled in the hall.
Cuddyer hit .284 with 24 home runs, 109 RBIs and 102 runs scored last season, batting cleanup between AL batting champ Joe Mauer and league MVP Justin Morneau. Cuddy's 11 outfield assists were tied for third in the league, as well.
The Twins had six arbitration-eligible players this year, avoiding hearings with each one. Twins pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Fort Myers on Sunday, with the remaining members of the club due on Feb. 23rd.
One thing that has always bothered me is the heckler in MLB2k6 who says, "Cud-DY-er?! Why isn't it CUDDY-er?!" What does that even mean? Learn how to heckle, dude.
[Star Tribune]
2 comments:
I'm thrilled that the Twins gave Cuddyer a decent contract, but if he doesn't produce as well as he did last season, I'd have my eye on another hard-hitting outfielder to take his spot if I were Terry Ryan.
I am too, Megs. Cuddy can smash balls left and right, and I really feel like an entire year batting consistently (in 2006) will help him to produce this season.
He's got a cannon out in right, too.
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