Michael Cuddyer received buyout from Mets

Michael Cuddyer received a buyout from the Mets between $2 million and $3 million, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. After the 2014 season, Cuddyer signed a two-year deal, back-loaded deal with the Mets. He earned $8.5 million in 2015 and was due $12.5 million for the 2016 season.

In 408 plate appearances during the regular season last year, Cuddyer hit just .259/.309/.391 with 10 home runs. By season's end, Michael Conforto has taken over as the team's starting left fielder. Cuddyer made 12 plate appearances in the postseason but wasn't productive in them. In early December, he surprised everyone by announcing his retirement.

So the Mets saved between $9.5 and $10.5 million in 2016. The team had a busy offseason, signing Bartolo Colon, Jerry Blevins, Antonio Bastardo, Asdrubal Cabrera, trading for Neil Walker, and re-signing outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Per Puma, general manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged that some of those moves might not have happened if Cuddyer hadn't retired.