Michael Cuddyer has been a sweet surprise for the third-place Colorado Rockies. As the team is currently is only 4.5 games away from first place, will they become shoppers or sellers before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31? Plenty of teams have asked about Cuddyer and the list includes teams that are currently in the playoff hunt.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers are in second place in the A.L. West, just half a game behind the Oakland Athletics. They have young guys manning center field, as Leonys Martin and Engel Beltre have split time there, while Nelson Cruz and David Murphy playing right and left, respectively. However, the Rangers need help filling their designated hitter spot. Cue in the 34-year-old Cuddyer who is on pace to match his 2012 season totals at the break of the 2013 season. Cuddyer is hitting .336/.393/.576 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI. In 2012 he hit .260/.317/.489 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI. Adding Cuddyer's bat won't do the lineup too much justice since they are heavy on right-handed power hitters like Ian Kinsler, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are also in second place, 2.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinas in the N.L. Central. They could really use a boost in their offense with a player like Cuddyer. Currently manning right field for the Pirates is Travis Snider. He's young, but Snider is cold at a pivotal time of the season. In the last 10 games he's hit .125 with no home runs or an RBI. Placing Cuddyer behind their slugger, Pedro Alvarez, would only force pitchers risking the chance of El Toro connecting with one. would be better Pirates are also right-handed heavy, which could be a problem, especially when facing the Cardinals' right-handed heavy pitching rotation.
Here's a look at other teams interested in Cuddyer's services, as FOX Sport's Ken Rosenthal pointed out Tuesday evening.
The third-place Cincinnati Reds, who are chasing the Pirates and Cardinals, could use Cuddyer because they don't have much power from the right-side of the plate. They have Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, who are lefties, but only Brandon Phillips provides a threat from the right side of the plate. They are an average team, and ranks 14th and 18th in home runs and batting average, respectively.
The Tampa Bay Rays are now in the hunt. They are in second place, just 3.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox. However, unless they plan on trading Sean Rodriguez and Sam Fuld, their outfield is jammed. They have Matt Joyce, Wil Myers and Desmond Jennings as everyday starters, plus Luke Scott as their everyday DH. As of right now, it appears the Rays are truly just a rumor.
The New York Yankees are an interesting option because they pretty much need everything. Cuddyer can play first base at least for this season as Mark Teixeira will be out for the remainder of the season. With Ichiro in right field, Brett Gardner in center and Vernon Wells in left, the oufield looks too occupied. However, the Yankees truly need help hitting and Cuddyer's bat could bring new life to a rattling offense. Only problem is, in 2014, Cuddyer will be owed $10.5 million when Teixeira is expected to return.
Last year, the San Francisco Giants made a pivotal move, acquiring Marco Scutaro from the Rockies. Will a move for Cuddyer change the team's luck entering the second half of the season? The Giants are in last place and in worse conditions than they were last year as they are 40-49. They could use a left fielder, but Cuddyer has only played nine games in left. The Giants have Andres Torres in left field and, without a doubt, Cuddyer would be an improvement. Torres is only hitting .257/.307/.357 with two home runs and 19 RBI.
Cuddyer has the third highest batting average (.336) in the majors. If the Rockies find themselves out of contention before the deadline, chances are, Cuddyer would be their best movable piece.