Shortly before Monday's deadline for free agents to make their decisions on qualifying offers tended by their former teams, outfielder Michael Cuddyer rejected the Rockies' deal and signed a two-year contract with the Mets. Financial terms were not disclosed.Cuddyer was considered one of a small number of the 12 players who might accept the one-year, $15.3-million qualifying offer. The deadline was 5 p.m. ET. 
Because Cuddyer signed elsewhere, the Rockies will receive a compensation pick between the first and second rounds of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft and the Mets will lose the 15th pick in the Draft, as well as the Draft bonus money associated with that slot.Cuddyer, 35, is a two-time All-Star and the 2013 National League batting champion when he hit a career-best .331 in 130 games for Colorado. A veteran of 14 Major League seasons with the Rockies and Twins, Cuddyer, who throws and hits right-handed, owns a .279 career average in 1,419 games."Michael is a tremendous addition to the middle of our lineup," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "He is a proven offensive threat who also brings versatility in the field with the ability to play multiple positions."Cuddyer appeared in 49 games with Colorado this past season, hitting .332 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 190 at-bats. In the last season of a three-year deal he signed with the Rockies in 2011, Cuddyer made starts at first base (11), third base (two) and right field (35). He missed time with a left shoulder strain and a left hamstring strain, making three trips to the disabled list.Originally drafted by Minnesota in the first round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft out of Great Bridge (Va.) High School, Cuddyer made his Major League debut in 2001 with the Twins. He has hit double-digit home runs in 10 of the past 11 seasons, including a career-best 32 in 2009.He played in six postseasons with Minnesota (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010), hitting .338 (25-74) in 22 playoff games. He helped the Twins reach the American League Championship Series in 2002.The 6-foot-2, 220-pound native of Norfolk, Va., was the NL's starting designated hitter in the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field, and was named to the team as the Twins' lone representative in 2011.
Joey Nowak/ MLB.com
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