A healthy dose of skepticism about Cuddyer

FORT MYERS, FLA. - The Twins have shown a willingness in this decade to sign key players to contract extensions before they get a clear view of free agency. The team never put Jacque Jones in that category.

Jones, the lefthanded-hitting outfielder, combined for 43 home runs, 154 RBI and a .302 average in the playoff seasons of 2002 and '03. He was about to turn 29 and was close to five years of major league service.

This was decision time for the Twins on Jones: Lock him or probably lose him?

The Twins declined, Jones fell off over the next two seasons and then left to sign a three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. Jones never equaled his competence in Minnesota -- with the Cubs, the Tigers or the Marlins -- and not signing him long-term proved astute for the Twins.

Michael Cuddyer spent a half-dozen years in the organization before he had a full season with the Twins in 2004. He broke out with 24 home runs, 109 RBI and a .284 average in 2006, then fell back to 16, 81 and .276 in 2007.

Cuddyer was about to turn 29 and was a few days shy of five years service. The Twins' response was to give him a three-year, $24 million contract, with a team option for $10.5 million for 2011.

The moral of the story is that not all career-long Twins with experience and production were shown the organization's confidence and generosity as was Cuddyer. And for now, the first look at that investment for the Twins was as productive as looking at your 401K.

For Rochester. On rehab assignment. Smacked by a Garrett Jones liner.

"That tells you about my year," Cuddyer said. "None was an injury I could've avoided. All I can say is they aren't chronic, so there's no lingering aches and pains. Physically, I'm great."

Cuddyer played in 71 games, less than half of a schedule. So how are the reactions this spring -- rusty or fresh?

"Definitely not rusty," he said. "The best word to describe how I'm feeling is 'eager.' I'm eager to get started, to put last season behind me."

Cuddyer was asked if he feels as if he "owes" a big season to his employers after the first year on the new contract was a washout?

"If we win, I'm going to care less about individual numbers."

Cuddyer turns 30 next week. He was the ninth overall selection in the 1997 draft. He signed late and didn't start his official pro career until playing in the Class A Midwest League in 1998.

The Twins' baseball people talked excitedly about the way the ball jumped off Cuddyer's bat, and yet only 30 home runs with Class AA New Britain in 2001 caught your attention.

The Twins gave him a long run of playing time in 2004 and '05, with subpar results, and then Cuddyer leapt forward with power numbers of 24 and 109 in 2006. He had a dropoff in 2007 with some nagging injuries and a drop off the cliff in 2008 with disabling injuries.

He will be 30 and entering his 12th professional season. He was asked: "Looking at the body of work, do you feel as if you should have accomplished more at this point of your career?"

The numbers from 2006 were repeated for Cuddyer: .284, 24 home runs, 109 RBI, 102 runs scored.

Another question: When you look back at your career, do you want to see three seasons like that?

This time, Cuddyer nodded and said: "I'm capable of doing that every year. I'm capable of putting that up this year. That would be great, as long as we win."