The Case for Michael Cuddyer

As everyone not named the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals prepare for the offseason and free agency I was rummaging through the 2015 free agent list when a name caught my eye, Michael Cuddyer. Before we delve too deep into this I am not handing out a big contract in terms of money or anything more than a one year deal max for Cuddyer as he has been unable to stay on the field in recent seasons. This is definitely a high risk and high reward type signing and one that could really help the Yankees in 2015.

New York needs a 4th or 5th outfielder type next season that would be willing to come off the bench, especially one that can play right field that can also serve as insurance for Carlos Beltran, and Cuddyer definitely fits that description. The Yankees need that bench outfielder to be right handed and a power threat off the bench, check and check. The Bronx Bombers also need a legitimate backup for first baseman Mark Teixeira, and no Alex Rodriguez, Brian McCann, or Brendan Ryan are not legitimate backup contenders, and Cuddyer has played a more than adequate first base in his career.

New York also needs a player that will take a minor league deal or a one year incentive laden contract, check, while the team hopes the player that won the 2013 National League batting title comes back and not the oft-injured player the Colorado Rockies dealt with all of last season. The Yankees don't have many 40 man roster spots or positions open and will have to get the most bang, pun intended, for their buck and that player has all the makings of Michael Cuddyer. At least invite him to spring training, just get him in pinstripes.