Mets sign Cuddyer; my friends lose their collective minds.

I'm an unabashed Mets fan. We've had a few rough years, but I finally feel like the team is turning around and better years are ahead.

Recently, the Mets signed Michael Cuddyer from Colorado. I thought it was a GREAT signing. My Yankee fan friends promptly decided to dump all over my enthusiasm on FaceBook. I decided to show them the error of their ways with actual fact, rather than conjecture.....and I wanted to share with everyone why I'm so enthusiastic about having Cuddyer on the team.

Argument #1: He played in Coors Field! It's a hitters paradise!

He absolutely hit in Coors Field for the past 3 years. That's an undeniable fact. And Coors Field has a reputation for inflating hitters statistics. However, there's a VERY easy way to determine how much it affected a hitter. Look at this home and away statistics. Cuddyer hit .356 at Coors Field in 2013, when he won the batting title. That's a big stat.

He also hit .311 on the road. That's a terrific road stat.

Year.   Home BA.    Away BA.
2012    .268              .250
2011    .287              .280
2010    .278              .265
2009    .279              .272
2008    .292              .202

I kept the stats from 2008, simply because that was a big difference in home and away. It should also be remembered that he was only on the Rockies for the past 3 years. 2011 and before he was on the Twins, and Target Field is considered a neutral park.

The best argument I can make with his home and away stats are with Giancarlo Stanton and Andrew McCutcheon.  In 2014, Stanton had a  -45 point batting average on the road. In 2013, he had a hundred point negative road differential. ONE HUNDRED. And he just signed a 13 year, $325 million dollar deal. McCutcheon was 20 points lower on the road in 2014, and 40 lower in 2013.

Obviously, I'm not saying Cuddyer is either of those players. But I'm trying to illustrate how Coors Field did not have as big an effect on Cuddyer as people seem to think.

Argument #2. He cost a first round draft pick!   AAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!

I'm as big a fan of the minor leagues as anyone else, and I hate to see draft picks given up. But let's assume the Mets did their due diligence and checked out the trade market before signing Cuddyer. I'm assuming that any player they would try and get would cost at LEAST 2 prospects, and probably at least one of them high level.

There is no way you can convince me that a single draft pick, which could be 3-6 years away from contributing to the big league team is less valuable than a player the Mets have already invested tons of cash in to develop. WE KNOW Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard, Raphael Montero etc have the skills to get to the big leagues. If given the option, would I keep the first round draft pick or those guys?

The prospects we have. Every. Single. Time.

Argument #3. This will keep the Mets from getting a big time hitter/talent in the outfield.

How many big time outfield hitters were in the World Series this year? The answer is none. I'm not saying you don't want good players, but to say you need a Mike Trout (out in the first round) or Bryce Harper (out in the first round) to get to the World Series is simply not true.

Also, the Mets have 2 big time outfield prospects on their way to majors. Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto have serious hitting skills and once they hit the majors in the next 2 years, the Mets will have a homegrown outfield for a very long time.

Argument #4. He's always hurt!

Yes, he was hurt last year. And he's getting older. I can't deny that. However, when you look at 2 of the injuries from last year, they're not something you can predict. A fractured shoulder, and a hamstring injury behind the knee. Neither of those are chronic, and should not be considered to be automatic injuries again.

Conclusion: The Mets signed Michael Cuddyer to a 2 year deal. He's going to be a 5th or 6th place hitter in the lineup. He's a former batting champ, and he cost no major prospects to acquire. He was brought in to get RBIs, which the Mets needed help with DESPERATELY last year. I honestly think this is one of the smartest deals the Mets have made in a very long time, and I can't wait to see him play.

LGM!