Nelson Cruz and the Twins have recently restarted talks on a new contract for the slugger, The Athletic’s Dan Hayes reports. Cruz had been looking for a two-year contract, but “the possibility of a one-year accord [is] now on the table” in his current discussions with Minnesota, Hayes writes.
Despite mutual interest in a continued relationship, there hasn’t been much action between Cruz and the Twins this offseason since both sides were fairly entrenched in their positions. The team didn’t want to pay too much money and give more than one guaranteed year to a player who turns 41 in July, especially when a DH-only player like Cruz is (at the moment) limited to only American League teams. From Cruz’s perspective, he was hopeful that his market could expand to NL teams if the universal DH was implemented, and as a result was looking for a two-year contract commensurate with his continued outstanding production.
Since there isn’t yet any movement towards the NL getting the designated hitter in 2021, that could explain why Cruz’s representatives have re-engaged with the Twins, and why there have be some flexibility from Cruz’s original two-year ask. As Hayes notes, however, the two sides still have to “common ground on a salary,” which may not be simple since the Twins would ideally like to both re-sign Cruz and still have money left over to obtain more pitching. Minnesota has weighed such alternate strategies as focusing all of its available payroll space on pitching and either letting its internal options handle the DH spot, or perhaps signing a cheaper alternative to Cruz — Hayes notes that Edwin Encarnacion has been considered as a possibility.
Or, in separate direction entirely, the Twins have also “floated” the idea of another free agent signing in Marcell Ozuna. Such a move would pivot the club away from a pitching search, since Ozuna would be both pricier than Cruz and require at least a three-year contract. Ozuna is over a decade younger than Cruz, of course, and while Ozuna might become a DH-only type in the future, Minnesota could deploy him as a part-time outfielder for at least a season or two. It’s probably safe to assume that Ozuna is something of a Plan C for the Twins, just in case an agreement couldn’t be reached with either Cruz or any notable pitching targets.
If it is most likely that we see the universal DH in 2022, even if not for 2021, wouldn’t it make sense for the Twins to just do the 2 year deal? They will have the same need for a hitter of his caliber and will face more competition in ’22 in trying to sign him. Unless his production falls off a cliff they could get him signed for 2022 for much cheaper right now than they’ll be able to next offseason.
I think the biggest reason that the Twins don’t want a long-term deal is that they are a small market team and Cruz is a 41 year old free agent. Yes, he has been raking the past couple of years, but he is liable to fall off a cliff this year. If they sign him to a big two year deal, his contract could turn into an albatross that will prevent the Twins from signing other free agents.
From the Twins perspective, they are much better off by taking the risk that he plays well this year and leaves for another team in 2022 than they are by giving him a two year deal.
A two year deal cannot turn into an albatross. The Twins just have more leverage than him right now as there is no confirmation on a universal DH. If there was, then he’d likely get a two year deal.
Cruz has a compact swing and I still have not seen any signs of him slowing down. He out performs Miguel Cabrera. I don’t understand why more teams aren’t interested in Cruz. The Yankees would get more production out of Cruz than Stanton.
Why on earth would anyone sign a 41 year old to a 2 year contract? I don’t care how good he is or was last year.
The aging curve has applied to every one in the history of baseball with the exception of the steroid guys.
Now I absolutely hate when people accuse any player who has a good year randomly of taking peds but if there’s anyone in baseball taking peds of some kind it’s Cruz who is defying the natural age curve.
The guy is 41. He doesn’t need more than a 1 year contract. Nobody over the age of 35 needs one. If teams all saved the money on useless guys they’re paying when their 35 and over they would have a ton of more money to give to guys shorter term in their early 30s so they can entice them to shorter more aav deals.
If he signs a two year deal with someone else say good for him sucking some non winning team into that.
Nelson Cruz was already busted once for PEDs
Cruz: I’ve had some of the greatest career numbers of my life with you guys these past two years hitting 57 HRs, 168 OPS+, 163 wRC+, and even slugged over .600 in our last full season together. So like, can I come back?
Twins: … eh, maybe idk. I’m scared of commitment is all
You don’t pay someone for what they did in the past. It’s really bizarre just how far fans are from being even the worst gm of all time in the sport. I mean every fan would always just give every player the extra year or a couple million more and their team would be the most expensive, non moveable, non winning team of all time that would be forced to tank for the longest period of time ever. It’s amusing to the intelligent fans.
Part of being intelligent is knowing when someone is being serious or joking.
A lot of intelligent people don’t have that skill.
He thinks fans are in control of payroll but it’s ok let him feel smawwt
Ill take a one year and two as an option with buyout option
GO NELLIE! BE FREE!
I know he found a way to pass PED tests while taking. I just know it. Cano was doing the same before he got caught twice.
The difference? People like Cruz more.
Same with Ortiz. He obviously took. But people like him a lot more than cano bonds or Arod
What’s gonna be fun to watch is this: When Ortiz comes up on the ballot, he will have had one positive PED test under his name. Same goes for Cruz. What do the HOF voters do? This is precedent setting. If you allow players who did it once to get in, then what happens to people who were caught more than once? Is it a one strike you’re out rule? Gonna be interesting for sure.
He “obviously” took, eh? Must be nice being so clairvoyant and not requiring the annoyances of actual evidence.
And are you seriously questioning why Ortiz is more popular than Bonds [bitter, surly misanthrope who fought with teammates, although tbf we’d all like to punch jeff kent], and Arod [a man who literally sued Mlb, the players Union, and his own teams physician, among dozens of other transgressions, also being a creepy weirdo that has alienesque social skills]?
Both Ortiz and Cruz have had positive PED tests in the past. Plus, when you look at their production in their older years, you can see that they have both clearly found a way to defy the typical aging curve for MLB players, so it is likely that they have found a way to cheat the PED test.
Also, thank you for actually posting a baseball comment this time.
You’re welcome lol.
I still know what baseball is, I just haven’t been feeling good the past couple of weeks. I’ll get past it though.
@Rangers29 – I was talking to Tom, not you. It drives me nuts when that guy posts his asinine comments all over this website
My bad dan55. This is the exact reason MLBTR needs a new add-on to their commenting structure that automatically tags who the comment is replying to.
But his comment wasn’t asinine. And you’re getting annoying. Pretending to know what goes on when you don’t. Bravo.
David Ortiz never tested positive for PEDs during MLBs testing period. Get the facts correct!
Ortiz never had a positive PED test. All the players gave samples prior to any testing rules being put in place; over 100 players ‘failed’ per the Mitchell Report and allegedly, David Ortiz’s name was on the list. They never told any of these players what they tested positive for, but a lot of supplements taken by the players showed up as positives during that trial test period. Once MLB put its testing procedures and banned substance list in place, David Ortiz never failed a test. Unfortunately, Nelson Cruz did. The entire Mitchell Report was a joke and should be taken with a grain of salt. Again, David Ortiz never failed an official MLB drug test…I wish people would get this straight.
Ortiz has tested positive before, just not after 2004. See it here: bleacherreport.com/articles/227263-breaking-news-d…
Take a look at David Ortiz’s physique. If he was taking PEDs, he should have gotten his money back! Cano, Cruz, Bonds, etc..were all jacked while taking their PEDs. Meanwhile, Ortiz had a belly that hung over his pants and he was plagued with knee and foot injuries for the majority of his career. One of the biggest benefits of PEDs is healing the body. Ortiz had to be moved off of 1B because of his chronic injury issues. I know it’s hard to believe but maybe, just maybe, Big Papi was extremely talented and was just a better hitter than most players? His other nickname was Big Sloppy…you don’t get that taking steroids & HGH.
Ok, I see you Dorothy. I get it.
Wow Toomy B. This must really get your goat. 1st time anyone has seen you post an actual baseball oriented missive rather than insane drivel.
Lemme help ya feel better- Cruz is even getting HOF votes when the time comes. He’ll play another 5 years and feast on the weak ass pitching that is out there. The stat accumulation is going to be huge. Almost as big as Bonds head during his last season. The Veterans Committee will put both of them in HOF
What about the players who never tested positive… like Bonds.
Dorothy… your argument as to why Ortiz never took steroids is that he was fat? You obviously know nothing about steroids. Steroids don’t change your diet. Have you ever seen a strongman competition? They are all using. They are all fat. If you take steroids and eat 4500 calories a day, you will still be fat. It is incredibly sad how uninformed the average person is on these things, yet claim they know things. The world would be better if ignorant people stopped spouting nonsense because they felt like it.
Yes, and all of those players played agains’t many other players who did the same thing, they just weren’t as good, and didn’t get the results!
“I just know it ”
How do you know, MetsFan22?
Is there a way to structure a contract whereby it is void if a guy gets caught juicing?
The MLBPA would never go for that. There already are agreed-upon punishments.
Is Cruz a border line Hall of Famer?
Yes.
I’m not sold that he deserves induction. But he absolutely deserves to be discussed.
He is definitely borderline. I personally don’t think he will get in as of right now, but he definitely could make a push if he continues to hit well for the next couple years.
If he gets this two year deal and performs near where he has in recent years, he’ll be approaching 50 WAR, 500 HR, a career OPS+ near 140, all while not being a regular until ~28.
However, Edgar Martinez was better and it took him quite a while to get in, and that’s without a PED stain. Absolutely borderline but I don’t think he makes it.
Nope….not until bonds/Clemons get in. Cruz is a busted juicer. How does he get in the hof with borderline stats when those with certain hof stats aren’t getting in? Get in line behind Sheffield and Manny….and honestly, he’d need another couple years of good production to get in. I don’t think he gets in.
Yeah. South of the border…
Like Molina, fans think they should get in but the numbers aren’t there
NO!
Cruz and Popi were one way players who can’t hold Bonds and A- Rods jock
It’s absolutely laughable that a universal DH hasn’t been implemented. If the two sides can’t see eye-to-eye on this one issue – something that both sides want – then forget about baseball in 2022.
It’s just a bargaining chip. Although I agree with you that these upcoming negotiations are going to be very contentious.
It’s a bargaining chip that both sides want. What a broken sport.
After last year most of the NL teams want the DH!
Yeah we all better enjoy whatever we get in 2021 because the coming labor war is going to make ’94 look like a cocktail party.
I mean, fans are pretty split on the idea (though it rises in favor of the DH every year), so I can see why they’re hesitant.
However, regardless of what they’re going to do, they need to make a decision. It’s actively hurting the market for players like Cruz.
They need this guy. They need the production and they need the leadership.
The market for Cruz is pretty much the Twins and….?
Most likely like every other player with no market he will return to Minnesota
White Sox, this should be the target! Please don’t tell me how good Andrew Vaughn is going to be. I think he can be great, but to expect that in 2021 is crazy. Offer Cruz a two year deal. Worst case, maybe you drive the price up the Twins have to pay
BREAKING NEWS********
The Chicago White Sox have reportedly offered DH Nelson Cruz a 2-yr deal worth $36MM (club option with a $2MM buyout).
I searched Nelson Cruz in twitter to see what stories came up, and while I was typing one of the trending searches was “Nelson Cruz White Sox”… I was like, “That mf’er actually right” lmaoo.
Fake news! That’s being put out there to try and drive the price up for Minnesota. Cruz would sign that White Sox offer in a New York minute if it was an official, written contract proposal. It appears that Minnesota has won the staring contest between the two.
Dan55 nailed it earlier, year two an option year. Maybe second year locks in automatically upon attaining certain goals. Good compromise. Cruz knows Twins still need to spend a little more on pitching. He’ll adjust and bet on himself to help their chances in postseason. Twins had some players in their 20s fall off a cliff last year, that should be of more concern than speculating on when Cruz might drop off.
I am guessing he’s been asking for $15-20M, they’ve been offering $12-14M. I think they meet in the middle. 1 year/$15.25M w/ a $1.75M buyout on a $16.75M option.
I still can’t believe he took a deal for less than $14M AAV last time.
Dear Jerry Dipoto, please bring him back to Seattle. He is a born leader who can mentor all of the prospects who will be coming up in the next two years. He can keep the DH spot warm until Haniger moves there in a couple years to clear OF room for Kelenic and Rodriguez.
If there’s a Universal DH I’d be all over something like…
Cruz to ATL/2yrs/15.0aav/$30M
Give Freddie Protection Enough to Keep Flourishing. Morton’s 15M is off the Books after this year leaving enough room to Resign Freeman.
Always have to laugh when I see anything about Nelson Cruz. He solves the PED problem with the HOF. Since being busted in 2013 with A-Rod he has led the league in homers hitting 47,44,43,41,37, Before 2013 he hit in the 20’s. So either he is still cheating with something undetectable or PEDs didn’t help him like many of the other less talented players. Maybe PEDs would cut down on all the injuries, like it does in the NBA and NFL with their weak testing!
If Cruz is now open to a 1-yr deal and the White Sox don’t even make an attempt to sign him, that’s going to be at least half as baffling as the hire of La Russa.
Twins will need to give Donaldson time to DH.
And Sano.
Sano should be at 1st base daily, he is getting better over there, keep him developing.
He’ll get it. Cruz you wouldn’t play 162 even as a DH.
Cruz will play at least 140. Donaldson, Sano and others should rotate in that spot. Can’t do that with Cruz and especially at a 2-year deal. Twins need to pivot.
This has White Sox written all over it and for a laugh EE signs with the twinkies! Joey Bats probably has more left in the tank than EE and can handle mop up duty on the mound too. Lol. Add Cruz to the White Sox lineup. Who wants to pitch to that team? If we’re ever allowed back I’ll bring my glove to the game for the first time since I was a kid.