2012 MLB Free Agents: Phillies in “Serious Pursuit” of Michael Cuddyer
By Editorial Staff
Fresh off their deal with Jim Thome, the Philadelphia Phillies are rumored to be setting their sights on another free agent. According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies are in serious pursuit of Michael Cuddyer. The 32-year-old would provide the Phillies with some depth at first base as well as in the outfield.
With Ryan Howard’s Achilles injury, Philadelphia may need some help at first base to begin the 2012 season. The club is apparently thinking about using John Mayberry Jr. to fill in for Howard, which would open up a spot in the Phillies’ outfield.
Enter Cuddyer.
The versatile veteran played all over the place for the injury-plagued Twins in 2011. While teammate Joe Mauer was getting grilled for his unwillingness to play the field, Cuddyer was filling in for many of his fallen comrades. Cuddyer primarily played the outfield last season, but also saw action at first and second base and even threw a scoreless inning of relief for Minnesota.
While the Phillies aren’t interested in using Cuddyer out of their pen, they do apparently covet the versatile vet. Not only does Cuddyer know his way around baseball diamond, he is also capable with the stick. Over the past three seasons, Cuddyer has averaged 22 home runs and 81 RBI’s for the Twins.
So this is a no-brainer for both sides, right?
Before Phillies’ fans get too excited about Cuddyer they should know that he and the Twins have expressed mutual interest in reaching a new deal.
Even with his pending free agent status, Minnesota refused to place Cuddyer on the trade block this summer. The club even extended a two-year offer to him, but Cuddyer said he’d rather wait until after the season to begin negotiations. Still, Cuddyer has made it known that he enjoys playing in Minnesota.
We’ll have to wait and see if Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Phils can get their man, or if Cuddyer opts to stick with the Twins.
For more on the Phillies and Twins, be sure to check out That Balls Outta Here and Puckett’s Pond.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.