Sometimes, things just have a way of working themselves out.
For much of the offseason, the Orioles were viewed as a team that wasn’t good enough to make the postseason in 2013 and didn’t do enough to increase their chances of doing so in 2014. Days and weeks went by with no significant roster moves to speak of. Sure, there were rumors. But, what team isn’t name dropped as a possible landing spot for a player during a time when there isn’t much to do but throw things against the wall and see if they stick?
Then, in February, the Orioles inked Ubaldo Jimenez to a four-year deal and agreed to a team-friendly one-year contract with Nelson Cruz. The former will make his debut for the Birds on Wednesday, while he latter paid immediate dividends in the season’s opening game.
Cruz was expected to be in the lineup, but many figured he would be as the designated hitter. Instead, with the left-handed Jon Lester on the mount for the Red Sox, Cruz started in left-field and Delmon Young received the nod at DH.
While he isn’t what David Lough is expected to be with the glove, Cruz made the plays required of him in the field. At the plate, he did exactly what Dan Duquette, Buck Showalter, and Orioles fans everywhere expected.
As our Derek Arnold noted, Cruz has tormented Jon Lester throughout his career. That trend continued yesterday. Cruz drew Baltimore’s (and Lester’s) only walk of the day. Then, he, of course, belted a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning that proved to be the game-winner.
So, basically, the guy who was reportedly seeking in the neighborhood of $18.75 million per year for four years and fell into the Orioles’ lap for $8 million (plus a potential $750k in incentives) was the difference maker in the first game of the season. Could it have been scripted any better?
Obviously, there are 161 games to go and Nelson Cruz may end up not surpassing or meeting the expectations placed on him when there is a season’s worth of statistics to look at and review. But, on Opening Day, he did.
Fans clamored for an impact bat. The club went out and got one. And what better way to make an impact than to contribute to a victory over the defending World Champions in your Orioles debut?
Not a bad way to endear yourself to the new fan base, Mr. Cruz.
photo: Craig Landefeld
