As first reported by Enrique Rojas, the Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $8M deal with free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz.
The Birds were said to be hotly pursuing both Cruz and Kendrys Morales over the past several days (while being linked to both in some way for what feels like months), and while sentiment among fans seemed to lean (quite heavily) toward Morales, Cruz’s much lower price likely ended up being the deciding factor for the organization.
While Morales was rumored to be looking for a deal in the two-year, $20-30M range (we’ll see what he actually signs for whenever that happens), the Birds apparently found the prospect of only committing a single year to Cruz far too enticing.
The one-year deal also allows the O’s the potential to recoup the second-round draft pick they are forfeiting by signing Cruz. If Cruz declines the team’s qualifying offers and leaves next offseason as a free agent, the O’s will get another pick in the second round of the 2015 amateur draft.
Cruz, 33, spend eight years playing for the Texas Rangers, where he amassed a lifetime .268/.327/.495 line, with 157 home runs. The Dominican smoked 45 doubles in 2012, and has hit 20 or more home runs each of the last five seasons (over 30 only once, in 2009). He was an All Star in 2009 and 2013.
Cruz, of course, has a bit of a cloud hanging over him, as he was caught using performance-enhancing drugs last January. He accepted a 50-game suspension last August 5. The suspension has been served though, and Cruz is good to go on Opening Day.
Cruz can’t be too happy with his agent at the moment. He has reportedly turned down much more money than the O’s are giving him twice already this offseason. Hopefully he plays 2014 with a chip on his shoulder, and flat-out rakes.
Cruz gets 1-yr, $8M from #Orioles. He turned down 1-yr, $14.1M from #Rangers. Reportedly turned down 5 yrs, $75M from #Mariners, too.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 22, 2014
One Response
I like it. Batting order:
Markakis
Machado
Jones
Davis
Cruz
Weiters
Hardy
Lough
Flaherty
The last 2 are interchangeable. But good balance of lefties and righties. Great power. Formidable.