Minnesota announced today it just picked up a 10.5 million dollar option on Michael Cuddyer. I have one main question…Why?

If they didn’t pick up the option- Cuddyer would have received a 1 million dollar buyout- and it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that the class-act Cuddyer would have given the Piranhas er Twins a home town discount?

Yes I do understand Cuddyer had an extremely solid campaign while picking up the slack for part time injured superstars Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, but for a team that really isn’t considered a big market team- I have to question this move. Apparently, they believe they’re going to find extra revenue next year while opening Target Field in the spring, but 10.5 million is a big chunk of a change going to someone who really hasn’t shown over the course of his career he can stay healthy consistently.

I can also understand that Cuddyer is a home grown first overall pick, but wouldn’t it be more wise to save that 10.5 million and give it to I don’t know….the soon to be free agent Joe Mauer? Isn’t Joe Mauer more important to the franchise than Michael Cuddyer? Do they really think Mauer is going to ignore a New York Yankee 7 year offer worth around 200 million and settle for a 150 million from Minnesota? I don’t care who you are- It’s virtually impossible to turn down the pinstripes and that cash to stay with a team that will likely be financially crippled paying the salaries of Mauer and Morny.

Questionable financial move from an otherwise extremely intelligent organization.