2. Michael Cuddyer
The Mets’ acquisition of Michael Cuddyer in the offseason, when he signed a two-year, $21 million at age 35 (he turned 36 by Opening Day), was all but forgotten with the trade for rising star Yoenis Cespedes and the call-up of dynamo left fielder Michael Conforto.
Signed to play the outfield, Cuddyer, who won a batting title with the Colorado Rockies in 2013, his last season as an All-Star, often spelled Lucas Duda at first base as the season drew to a close whenever the Mets faced a lefty starter. On the season, Cuddyer performed admirably, hitting .259 with 10 homers and 41 RBI, posting a very good triple slash line, .302/.352/.458, in 105 plate appearances in the season’s second half.
[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w09RnHIcAII”]In 224 career at-bats at Kauffman Stadium, Cuddyer hit .281 with 13 homers and 42 RBI, his 13 dingers being the fourth-most he struck at any ballpark.
For his career, Cuddyer has hit .272 against righties, although he fell out of favor with Terry Collins after his shoddy defensive play in leftfield in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Consequently, the Mets will only be calling on Cuddyer for his bat, which is beyond serviceable regardless of lefty or righty starter.
