On November 10, 2014 the New York Mets signed then 35 year old, Michael Cuddyer.
It was uncharacteristic of the regime. Sandy isn’t known for his free agent splashes. In his book Baseball Maverick, the signing is described as, “a move that shows that Alderson is ready to contend now.” It was a two-year deal worth $21 million. What made the deal so high risk was the fact that because Cuddyer was offered arbitration from the Rockies, the Mets had to give up their first round pick, 15th overall.
The Mets have been very conscious not to give up picks because they have needed to rebuild for so long. Since 2010 they’ve have had seven first round picks, two in both 2011 and 2012.
The MLB draft is significantly less hyped up, talked about and watched then both the NBA and NFL drafts. There are many reasons for this. College basketball and football are obviously much bigger than college baseball. MLB draft picks usually don’t contribute to their teams for years, as they go through the minor league system. Players also come from so many different places and their are so many rounds it’s very hard to follow.
If you go through the Mets first round picks since David Wright was picked in the supplemental first round in 2001, you see Matt Harvey, and tons of disappointments, as well as some players never to play for the Major League squad. On the other hand when you look at more successful franchises, the Giants for example, had four core players, of three championship teams, picked in the first round (Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey). The 15th pick is smack in the middle of the first round, there have been some great picks there.
Chase Utley was picked 15th overall in 2000. It is hard to know for sure what the pick could have entailed for the Mets. One thing is for sure though, the fan base is tired of losing. Every year has been “the year” and if this one doesn’t go well Sandy and co. might be on the way out and won’t have to worry what could of been. For now, even if Michael Cuddyer hasn’t been as good as advertised, it was a move that had to be made for a fan base that is in a win now mentality.
