Finally, a spot to call home

Twins' versatile Cuddyer to start at third

By Deron Snyder
Fort Myers News Press

The top shelf of Michael Cuddyer's locker is a lot less crowded this spring. Instead of four gloves for five positions, there are two gloves for one position: third base.

Just in case, though, his second baseman's glove is nearby. But his mitts for first base and the outfield are nowhere in sight.

"I always try to prepare my body to play everyday, 162 games," said Cuddyer, who started at first, second, third, right and left for the Minnesota Twins last season. "But my mind-set is a little different now.

"Maybe because I only have to carry one glove around, or take most of my ground balls at one position. In that respect, I prepared a little bit different. I've got my mind-set strictly just for third base."

Finding a home hasn't been easy since the Twins made Cuddyer the ninth overall pick out of Great Bridge (Va.) High in the 1997 draft. He played shortstop during his first year in the minors and third base the next two years. Then he bounced between the infield and outfield.

Cuddyer was rated among the minors' top outfield prospects in 2002, when he played 41 games with the Twins. But he bounced back and forth again in 2003, before making the team last year as a utility infielder.

"He handled it a lot better last year than he has in the past," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He relaxed and understood his role. When he got a chance to play, he played. When he didn't get to play, he was out there working his tail off, making sure he was ready.

"He worked really hard when he wasn't playing, and toward the end of the season he was getting in the lineup. And he took full advantage of it."

Cuddyer, who will turn 25 next month, batted .257, with 20 homers and 67 RBI. But he ended the season strongly and made noise against the New York Yankees in the Division Series. He started at second base and hit safely in each of the four games, going 7-for-15 (.467), with two RBI.

The job at third base opened in December when Corey Koskie left for a three-year, $17 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Koskie was Minnesota's third baseman for the past five seasons. Now it's Cuddyer's position to lose, which isn't expected to happen.

"It's still not set in stone, by any means," Cuddyer said. "I just have to prove to them that I can step up into that position and play every day."

Gardner hasn't had a one-on-one conversation with Cuddyer about the full-time job. But he has spoken casually with the player.

"I said it's about time you get an opportunity here, see what happens," Gardenhire said. "He says he's up for it. I said, 'Go out and have some fun, cause you've been sitting there watching long enough. It's about time you take a job and run with it.' "

Cuddyer still takes some ground balls at second base, but works primarily at third. He played shortstop in high school and loves being anywhere in the infield.

"It's definitely my favorite place to be," he said. "I like third, second, first. Wherever I'm getting consistent playing time, I enjoy that the most. So I'm going to love playing third base."

Cuddyer has seven errors in 115 chances at third, compared to a combined five errors in 311 chances at first and second. But Gardenhire said Cuddyer has gotten "better and better with his hands" and should improve even more with a permanent spot.

"Working at different positions is not easy," said Gardenhire, adding that it's even tougher for young players who are worried about sticking in the majors. Cuddyer appears to have cleared that hurdle.

"He doesn't have that fear of going anywhere," Gardenhire said. "I think he understands that he belongs now. And that's huge."

Just like having a position to call home.