The Dodgers are hiring Nelson Cruz as an advisor, per a report from Tenchy Rodriguez of Z101. This was confirmed by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, who adds that Cruz will be working for the organization in Latin America.
Cruz, 43, recently retired after spending almost two decades as one of the most potent sluggers in the league. From his debut in 2005 to his final season in 2023, he hit 464 home runs while playing for the Brewers, Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins, Rays, Nationals and Padres. In addition to his work with MLB club, Cruz was also active in terms of international competition. He represented the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2023, also serving as the club’s general manager for the most recent of those tournaments. He’s also played winter ball in the Dominican Republic on numerous occasions.
It’s unclear exactly what his responsibilities will be, but Cruz has been around the game for a long time. By suiting up for so many different teams, both inside and outside MLB, he has surely made contact with hundreds of different players, coaches, scouts and other baseball personnel. The Dodgers will give him a chance to start the next phase of his career just a few weeks after retiring.
This is really smart by the Dodgers. Nelson is beloved by his teammates, especially those from Latin countries. Would be a good salesman for the Dodgers
That was my thought. Wanna corner the market on the DR prospects? Get the guy that has the ear of every 13-17 kid in the country…
Ahh very good. The Padres’ spy has infiltrated the ranks of the enemy and will work to slowly ruin the launch angle of the Dodgers’ hitters. All is going according to plan.
“And then, Pinky… we shall rule the WORLD!”
This guy get is
Is he going to acquire some ill-tempered sea bass for them?
None of that matters when the Padres owner can’t even afford the monthly payroll..
Of course he can, another loan has been drawn up. I envy the will power of the friars to win at all cost.
the second part of that lesson is pretty easy – just be an elite hitter for over a decade – I am sure everyone can do it
MLB reporting on a possible extension for Juan Soto but nothing here.
Break the story for us!
Nov. 29: Soto trade talks progressing between Yanks, Padres (report)
Trade talks between the Yankees and Padres regarding Soto have progressed to the point where the two sides have exchanged names who could potentially be involved in the return going back to San Diego, according to a report from SNY’s Andy Martino. However, no deal is close.
Yankies have any prospects left? News to me!
The Yankees could always buy some prospects from the A’s. But the Mets probably will beat them to it.
MLB reporting New York Yankees are exchanging names with a possible trade with Padres for Soto.
The only Soto news I see today is Yankees trade proposals.
Nov. 29: Soto trade talks progressing between Yanks, Padres (report)
Trade talks between the Yankees and Padres regarding Soto have progressed to the point where the two sides have exchanged names who could potentially be involved in the return going back to San Diego, according to a report from SNY’s Andy Martino. However, no deal is close.
Yeah I saw that earlier but what does that have to do with a “possible extension” being reported?
Could Nellie be the Dodgers new Manny Mota?
They should have put him in charge of player health and performance since he knows a thing or 2 about gaining the competitive edge 🙂
Is how to avoid a paper trail while taking PEDs part of his lesson plan?
I’m always happy when a known PED cheater retires. I’m never happy when they stick around in a different capacity.
He got caught and served his time.
He got caught every time? I doubt it. If you think 38 year old Cruz hit 41 HRs without help, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. He was much better at 38 than at any point his career.
If you’ll cheat once, you’ll cheat twice.
You don’t think he was tested at least as much as a typical player, if not more? And he was able to avoid detection every time?
Some people who cheat once will cheat twice, some will learn their lesson and clean up their act.
He was tested plenty when he got away with it the first time.
He got caught due to a paper trail, not because of a positive test.
He’s a known cheater who never tested positive and had his best year at 38. Seriously?
Gbs42 – defending Ortiz and Cruz but you have no issue attacking A-Rod? That clown college degree is really paying off for you.
@h11fan umm, you say all this but at the same time thinks Barry Bonds should be in the Hall and record books. Come on, you can’t have it both ways.
Pirates fan. You must have me completely confused with someone else.
I have no concept how you thought I believed Bonds should be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
People need to look up the word enshrined.
Roids were invented in 1930’s. I think it would be naive (at the best) to think that for over 70 years they were never used in MLB.
I am always annoyed at seeing A-Rod and David Ortiz as faces of baseball broadcasting for this reason.
Also because Rodriguez is an abysmally bad broadcaster, but mainly because he’s a two-time PED loser who somehow manages to continue his work in baseball as if nothing ever happened
I will not watch a broadcast with ARod on it.
A-Rod and Ortiz situations are different. One was busted, one never was officially. That difference matters.
Ortiz tested positive. Cruz and Bonds never tested positive and were busted by paper work. Ortiz’s test was leaked.
Pro Trump, anti Trump, his tax returns were leaked, it doesn’t mean they were faked.
By the way, the leaking of Trump’s returns and Ortiz test results were both illegal.
I’m curious who dismisses Ortiz tests, but doesn’t dismiss Trump’s returns. I dismiss neither.
Gbs42 giving a free pass to Ortiz is adorable
Considering what the Dodgers organization has become over the past decade or so, this doesn’t surprise me. Hiring a cheater as an advisor. If Ed Bouchee were still alive, they’d probably hire him for public relations.
Thats odd. I’ve seen 3 teams disciplined for cheating and none of them were named Dodgers
I’ll blame the Dodgers for this one, but I will certainly give the a pass on Manny. As far as Bauer, that looks like a setup to me. Don’t get me wrong, Bauer is an idiot, but he’s not the demon he’s been accused of being.
No, but one is the Red Sox who coincidentally got in trouble the same year Betts had his career year and won his MVP by hitting 50 points higher than his career avg
Not in any specific order, and without intentionally opening up a can of worms, the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox seem to be the teams that are the most morally challenged.
However, this move seems beneath the Dodgers.
There are worst in HOF. This is bussines not politics. MLB looks the other way when it suits them.
Nelson can teach the young players how to roid up the eyes to increase their reaction speed. I can already picture him doing a demonstration, going “See? It’s in the eyes, much harder to detect!”
Good for Nelson. I was hoping a former team of his might offer him an assistance hitting coach job (or even higher up the chain), but… hey, I’m still happy that Cruz gets to keep doing something in the game that he loves.
This news is pretty old (about 2 weeks) and now is comming out?
He will be influential in signing prospects.
Nelson “WHAT MARINE LAYER” Cruz while playing in Seattle
Will the Dodgers now hire Julio Urias as marriage counselor for the young players?
Nelson Crux still chasing that ring even as a Advisor. I guess Texas wouldn’t bring him back. Bad memories live on forever in Right field