Michael Cuddyer

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Rockies have reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer.

The specifics of the deal aren’t available yet, but previous reports have indicated that the Rockies offered Cuddyer a three-year, $27 million contract. If that number is accurate, it’s a little surprising that he would wind up signing for just a couple million more than the Twins offered. The 32-year-old corner outfielder batted .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI over 584 plate appearances this past year for Minnesota.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that “all signs are pointing” to the Rockies landing Michael Cuddyer and they hope to have the signing wrapped up on Friday.

The Rockies became the heavy favorites to land the coveted free agent outfielder once Josh Willingham signed with the Twins. Previous reports have indicated that Colorado has offered Cuddyer a three-year, $27 million contract. The 32-year-old corner outfielder batted .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI over 584 plate appearances this past year for the Twins.

Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd said Thursday that he won’t improve his offer to free agent Michael Cuddyer.

Cuddyer reportedly has a three-year, $27 million proposal on the table from Colorado, but is taking time with his decision whether to accept. The 32-year-old corner outfielder batted .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI over 584 plate appearances this past year for Minnesota.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Rockies are “leaning more toward” Michael Cuddyer than Carlos Beltran.

While Beltran’s upside is far greater, Cuddyer is a few years younger and a more reliable option health-wise. The Rockies likely have offers out to both free agent outfielders and will be expecting some sort of resolution soon. Cuddyer, 32, batted .284/.346/.459 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI over 584 plate appearances this past year for Minnesota.

The Twins remain hopeful that they might be able to re-sign Michael Cuddyer, despite signing Josh Willingham, reports Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“I would not rule out anything at this point, including Cuddyer,” a Twins official texted Christensen. Twins GM Terry Ryan has remained in dialogue with Cuddyer’s agent, Casey Close, and the Twins apparently haven’t yanked their three-year, $24 million offer off the table despite shelling out similar money for Willingham. Cuddyer has remained oddly silent this winter, which makes predicting his next destination difficult. If the Twins were somehow able to open up the payroll space to re-sign Cuddyer — which seems improbable — he would return to right field and send Ben Revere to a fourth outfielder role. The Rockies, Reds and Mariners, amongst others, are also known to have interest in the veteran.

The Rockies and Mariners continue to pursue Michael Cuddyer, FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi reports.

Cuddyer won’t be returning to the Twins, who signed Willingham to a three-year, $21 million contract on Thursday to play left field. Cuddyer had a three-year, $24 million contract on the table from Minnesota, but the proposal from the Rockies is reportedly bigger. We haven’t heard what the Mariners have offered. Colorado is the front-runner at the moment and Cuddyer’s fantasy value would be highest hitting in Coors Field as opposed to the cavernous Safeco Field.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he will look into free agent Michael Cuddyer.

“It depends on what he’s looking for,” said Jocketty. Cuddyer hasn’t accepted a three-year, $24 million offer from the Twins and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported Tuesday night that he is looking for more than $30 million, so he’s likely outside the Reds’ price range. The Mariners are also interested, but the Rockies are the front-runners at the moment.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes that the Rockies are still “firmly in the mix” for Michael Cuddyer and something could happen as soon as Wednesday.

This jibes with what ESPN’s Buster Olney is hearing from rival executives. Cuddyer has a three-year, $24 million contract on the table from the Twins, but the proposal from the Rockies is reportedly bigger. The Mariners have also been in touch with Cuddyer’s representatives, but they appear to be in the periphery.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, rival executives believe Michael Cuddyer will end up with the Rockies.