Colorado Rockies: The 5 best free agent signings in franchise history

16 Apr 1998: Outfielders Ellis Burks and Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers won the game, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
16 Apr 1998: Outfielders Ellis Burks and Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers won the game, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 17: Michael Cuddyer #3 of the Colorado Rockies doubles, knocking in two runs and completing the cycle in the eighth inning during the second game of a split double header at Coors Field on August 17, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 17: Michael Cuddyer #3 of the Colorado Rockies doubles, knocking in two runs and completing the cycle in the eighth inning during the second game of a split double header at Coors Field on August 17, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Michael Cuddyer
Signed in 2011

Colorado made a splash in free agency following the 2011 season by signing Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $31.5 million deal. He would play in only 280 games during his three seasons in Colorado, but he made a huge impact in that short time.

After hitting .260 in 101 games in his first season (2012) in the Mile High City, Cuddyer would put together a season for the Rockies record book in 2013, winning the National League batting title with a .331 average while hitting 20 homers and posting 84 RBI. He would earn an All-Star Game bid and Silver Slugger Award (the only one of his career) while finishing 20th in the Most Valuable Player balloting.

Because of injuries, he would play in just 49 games in 2014 and became a free agent after that season. He signed with the New York Mets for his final Major League campaign, playing in 117 games in the last year of his 15-year Major League campaign.