Colorado Rockies rumors: Michael Cuddyer unlikely to be traded
By Hayden Kane
The Colorado Rockies have spent the last two months plummeting to the bottom of the standings, both in their division and overall, and are therefore square in the middle of trade rumors as the July 31st deadline approaches.
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Among the pieces on Colorado’s roster that might interest contending teams are their many talented outfielders. The biggest names of that group are Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer. In the case of Cuddyer, he draws significant interest because he brings two qualities that playoff teams seriously value: right-handed power and veteran leadership.
Even with that interest and even with Cuddyer’s contract up at season’s end, the Rockies insist that he will not be traded. Jon Heyman of CBS reports that the team would rather sign him to another extension and keep him in 2015 and beyond.
"Cross Colorado Rockies star Michael Cuddyer off the many potential trade-target lists.In an extremely weak market for hitters, Cuddyer’s likely unavailability is a big blow to teams that have interest……Cuddyer, a terrific professional who was batting .317 when he suffered a non-displaced fracture of the glenoid socket, is a very easy guy for bosses to love, and that is the case here. The Rockies instead will try to re-sign him, though Cuddyer recently told the Post they haven’t reached out yet."
Cuddyer has struggled to stay on the field in 2014, missing time previously with a hamstring injury and currently on the DL with a shoulder fracture. He did put together a full season in 2013, winning his first batting title. There are few questions about his bat, hence the interest from teams had he been available. Instead it looks like he will be in Colorado once again next season.