Designated hitter Nelson Cruz is now a free agent after being released by the Padres earlier this week. The Blue Jays are looking for some more offense and have shown some interest in him, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.
Cruz, 43, has a long track record of success in his lengthy career, having launched 464 home runs while playing for the Brewers, Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins, Rays, Nationals and Padres. However, his results have tapered off in recent years. He was still hitting well as recently as the first half of 2021, when he slashed .294/.370/.537 for a wRC+ of 142 with the Twins. But after he was dealt to the Rays, he hit just .226/.283/.442 for a wRC+ of 95 and hasn’t bounced back since. Between the Nationals last year and the Padres this year, he hit .237/.306/.352, 85 wRC+.
Despite that diminished production of late, it’s understandable why the Jays might be willing to take a shot on a bounceback. The right-handed hitter has generally fared better with the platoon advantage in his career, hitting .292/.378/.550 against lefties compared to .266/.329/.499 otherwise. He hasn’t hit well against either side here in 2023 but was fairly effective against southpaws last year, batting .248/.345/.383 for a wRC+ of 106.
The Blue Jays have been an above-average offensive club overall this year, with their collective batting line at .259/.326/.415, 107 wRC+. But against lefties, that line drops to .257/.325/.375 and a 96 wRC+. If the club feels Cruz can still contribute in that capacity, perhaps he could take the short side of a platoon. Cruz hasn’t played the outfield since since 2018 and only has eight career innings at first base, so he’s essentially only an option for the DH slot at this point of his career.
The Jays’ primary designated hitter is lefty Brandon Belt, who is hitting just .167/.250/.167 against southpaws this year. When the club has faced a lefty, they’ve generally given the start to either Alejandro Kirk or Danny Jansen, depending on who’s catching. Neither is an ideal platoon made for Belt right now. Jansen has reverse splits for his career, hitting just .189/.285/.391 against lefties, with an even worse showing this year. Kirk has hit southpaws well in his career but is struggling this year, batting just .208/.316/.229 against them.
Cruz is making a salary of $1MM this year, which the Padres remain on the hook for now that he’s been released. That means that the Blue Jays, or any club, could sign him and pay him only the prorated league minimum salary with that amount subtracted from what the Padres pay. With the trade deadline now two weeks away, Cruz could be given a bit of a window to see how he fares. If he can get back to anywhere near his previous form, it would be a nice buy-low move. If he can’t, he can be easily jettisoned at no financial cost and replaced with a deadline pickup of some kind.
Land two left handed bats in your starting outfield and do not land the complementary right handed outfield bat for left handed pitching before the season. Now you’re interested in a older gentleman who’s best years are behind him and can no longer play the outfield.
They’d be better off acquiring Carlos Santana from the Pirates who I’m sure could be had for very little. Platoon for belt at DH. Santana strong side is against Lefties.
Cruz looks done and offers nothing in the field.
I’d hope they would target someone much better than these two.
Iver – I’m guessing Double E and Joey Bats would recommend their good friend Dr. Galea to Mr. Cruz
I’d hoped the Jays landed a right handed outfield bat to play for either KK or Varsho with a left hander on the mound. Also hoped for a CF and RP a year ago, a 3B and SP two years ago, the trend continues with the bluebirds.
No they haven’t
I knew they’d be in on him after he was released and I don’t really hate it. The offense just disappears way too often outside of Bichette so taking a flyer doesn’t hurt. He can’t hit too much worse than Kirk or Varsho or Belt against lefties.
Imo, Bichette is the Jay’s best, most consistent hitter. They should try to lock him up before the price goes out of sight.
If they were in on him, surely he’d already be here. There’s no bidding war going on. His salary is predetermined. If somebody offered, especially a contender, why wouldn’t he have accepted the first day?
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
I’m not dead yet!
It’s worth a look if he has anything left in the take for minor cost it will be to sign him
Feels like a waste a spot on the roster
Take a look who else the jays have used as their 26th man this season. Based on that, very little downside in giving Cruz a look.
Not really. With the versatility that Biggio, Merrifield and Espinal have they can afford to roster Belt and Cruz at the same time
They only give Lukes an at bat per month, so there’s already a wasted spot on the roster. That said, I think calling up a right handed hitter from AAA (Davis Schneider?) and giving him a chance against lefties would be smarter than Cruz.
Maybe, but they could be looking for the veteran bat and hoping he has anything left in the tank
Sign a cheater, but release a guy (Anthony Bass) for expressing an opinion. What a class organization.
Basshole had it coming. I’m sure there’s a minor league squad filled with good ol boys down south of the Mason-Dixon where he’d probably feel more comfortable and offer a better culture fit.
If he didn’t post anything outside of baseball on social media, he wouldn’t have to worry.
There are all kinds of classes to tell folks what to stay away from on there these days. No excuses.
Why? Because he didn’t defend freaks and the idiocy of the Dodger organization? Go kiss your photo of Hillary and go to bed.
Typical far right, if you are not so far right you are about to fall off, they call you a liberal.
Most of America has this thing called common sense. Maybe turn off your favorite news channel and experience the real world like 80% of us that aren’t fringe types on one side or the other.
Replacing Bass with Mitch White was the solution. Absolutely top notch.
Lol that’s certainly a take
Not only did he express an opinion….he’s numbers sucked!! People seem to forget that part, so why keep the distraction?
This guy learned how to hit right as he left Texas. What luck!
Jays have interest in Cruz? But the weather’s too warm for April 1.
His average is still better than 75% of the Yankees starters
His average is still better than 75% of Yankees starters
Go Nellie go! Keep cashing them checks baby! Why not?
Perhaps they’re thinking of adding him more as a mentor for Vladdy…
False rumor