Questions fly after Rockies sign Michael Cuddyer

Did the Rockies overpay?

Did the Rockies sign the right guy?

How much can he actually help?

Will he make enough of an impact to make it worthwhile?

All questions being asked by Rockies fans on Friday after they signed Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $31.5 million contract.

Honestly, all questions Rockies fans would have been asking regardless of who Dan O'Dowd had signed with the available money.

Fact is, every free agent signing is a gamble to some degree with the absurd salaries these players are earning. Each of them have their upside. Each of them have their downside. And believe me, we know that downside better than anyone after the disasters of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle a decade ago.

Even though a lot of you are saying you would have spent the money a different way, you would have questioned that move just the same had it happened. And that's OK. It's a natural reaction. It's tough to get away from those bad memories, or how far it set the Rockies back. But we have to. And we have to give O'Dowd a chance to do his job.

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Rockies Winter Meeting Review

The 2011 Winter Meetings are behind us now, and while the Colorado Rockies did not add a large piece to their damaged puzzle, they did subtract two of their least popular players while adding some depth and freeing up enough cash to make themselves a player for Michael Cuddyer or a key starting pitcher.

Here's a quick review.

Monday

-- Claimed Jamie Hoffman off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers

Hoffman is your typical AAAA player. He's a pretty good defender from all accounts, but at age 27 has yet to take a step forward offensively. He'll compete for a bench job in spring training. His odds of making (in the Ryan Spilborghs role) will depend on who else the Rockies add in the coming weeks.

Tuesday

-- Acquired RHP Kevin Slowey from Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Daniel Turpen

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Townie's Take: Eric Young Jr. and the trade of Chris Iannetta

-- Should I apologize for my sorta harsh words about Eric Young Jr. and his odd dismissal from his Venezualan League team?

Young issued a statement over the weekend explaining that his team failed to provide a family member that flew in on Thanksigiving Day the proper transportation from the airport. Young then took matters into his owns hands, citing safety concerns after the kidnapping of Wilson Ramos, and drove to the airport himself. Of course the flight of his family member was delayed, which forced Young to miss the first four innings of the that day's scheduled game.

Strange story. I was admittedly too quick to pass judgment, but the whole thing still feels kinda weird. Not that I don't believe Young or all of the circumstances he explained, but seriously, what the hell? And what about an explanation for the other alleged late arrival to the ballpark?

Anyway, I apologize for not waiting for Young to explain himself and for calling his actions embarrassing. That's probably not true. However, I do not apologize for saying he was at least partially fired for being bad at baseball or that I'm not all that interested in watching him play for the Rockies again next season.

Sorry. Not sorry.

-- Fallout from the trade of Chris Iannetta.

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Thoughts on Eric Young Jr.

According to Rafael Rojas, the terrific baseball reporter representing Viva Colorado, Eric Young Jr. was fired by Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan League on Friday for a combination of being bad at baseball, but more embarrassing than that, showing up to the ballpark late on more than one occasion.

Congratulations, Jr., you've managed to embarrass yourself, the Colorado Rockies, and I'm sure Eric Young Sr. is real proud at this moment, too.

I'm not going to go on and on and about Young's situation. It pretty much speaks for itself, and it pretty much speaks to the current state of the Rockies. Too many players in the mix that are going nowhere in their careers. Too many players not serious enough about their job, or willing to put in the correct effort to seize their opportunity. A distinct lack of discipline... probably because the people in charge aren't holding enough people accountable.

Bottom line: A lot of kids not ready to grow up or accept the responsibility that goes along with playing at the big league level. The sooner the Rockies cut bait with these guys, and hopefully replace them with grown ups, the better off they will be.

Sadly, it's too late to trade Young for anything meaningful at this point. But I don't think it's too early to speculate he won't be on the Rockies opening day roster. Nor should he be.

Please try to enjoy the offseason

I know, it's not always easy and sometimes it's not even possible, but people just get so worked up over every little detail or rumor throughout the hot stove season. And that's a problem, because there are dozens of those coming out every day.

The Rockies are going to be linked to a lot of players. Heck, at one time or another they will likely be mentioned as interested in every single free agent or trade candidate that has a pulse and sound ligaments that isn't in the upper echelon of talent. I know, we want that upper echelon talent coming to Colorado, but spending tons of money on one or two players would do little to help this team anyway.

Then again, spreading the money around to a lot of high-risk/low reward talent won't either. But just because they're linked to a Grady Sizemore or once again to a Jeff Francis, doesn't mean they necessarily sign that player or even really want that player. They just have to cover their bases in case plans don't work.

If Plan A doesn't work, you can't just call Plan B the next day and say hey we're interested now. You have to show interest, establish communication and give yourself options. That goes right on down the line to Plan Z. A lot of those guys know they aren't any teams first option, but that doesn't mean you can ignore them until you reach your desperation point.

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