Perhaps the most impactful offseason move for the Mets this winter did not come from the front office: Michael Cuddyer, who struggled to the point of becoming a backup to a rookie in his first year of a two-year deal with the Mets, has decided to retire.
Cuddyer, who was due to make $12.157 in 2016, will be 37 in March.
A 15-year veteran in the majors, Cuddyer struggled with knee injuries during the season and had surgery to repair his “core muscles” in the offseason. He hit .259 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI in 117 games last season.