Sports

Cuddyer joins Rockies after signing 3-year deal

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Dec 21, 2011 at 9:21 am

DENVER (AP) - Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd says outfielder Michael Cuddyer is a perfect fit in Colorado.

With Coors Field as the backdrop, Cuddyer donned a Rockies jersey and cap for the first time at his introductory news conference Tuesday after finalizing a $31.5 million, three-year contract.

The 32-year-old Cuddyer spent 11 seasons in Minnesota before agreeing to a free-agent deal with the Rockies late last week. He went to his first All-Star game last season as the Twins' lone representative.

A career .272 hitter, Cuddyer will wear No. 3 with the Rockies - a tribute to late Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew. Cuddyer described the Hall of Famer as "one of the greatest human beings I've ever met.''

O'Dowd also announced the acquisition of free-agent third baseman Casey Blake, pending the completion of a physical. Blake has agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal worth $2 million, with $1 million in available performance bonuses.