Colorado Rockies Should Make Michael Cuddyer Available to Justin Upton Suitors

Outfielder Justin Upton has been offered by the Arizona Diamondbacks to just about every team needing an increase in power. But a deal has been slow in the making.

Upton turned down a deal that would have sent him packing to the Seattle Mariners (via USA Today). According to ESPN's Bustner Olney (via Twitter), the Diamondbacks covet Mike Olt of the Rangers, but no deal has been made. The Braves (via David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution), Mets (via CBSSports.com) and Orioles (via the Baltimore Sun) have also all been rumored to be landing spots for Upton.

Yet he remains employed by the Diamondbacks.

Meanwhile, the lowly Colorado Rockies are not planning on moving their slugger, Michael Cuddyer, anytime soon, according to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports (via Twitter).

However, the Rockies should listen to offers.

Cuddyer may not be as young as Upton (he is nine years Upton's senior), nor as dynamic a player, but he was an All-Star as recently as 2011. He provides right handed pop and can play the outfield and the infield, giving a team some flexibility. Plus, he is signed to a relatively reasonable $10.5 million per year contract for 2013 and 2014.

The Mariners were willing to offer a king's ransom for Upton. The Phillies, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, are targeting lower-priced sluggers like Cuddyer to boost their sagging power. And the Yankees need power, but with reluctance to bring on huge contracts because of the payroll tax (via Joel Sherman of the New York Post), they could use a bat like Cuddyer.

The Rockies could contribute to a much-needed youth movement while becoming an affordable option to teams needing a slugger but unable to afford Arizona's price tag for Upton.

Listen to the offers, Colorado. You might be surprised what teams are offering.