Mariners Sign Nelson Cruz

[Giantmetfan07]

9:59am: Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports that the Orioles were told Cruz had a four-year, $58MM offer on the table (Twitter link), so it appears that those are the likely terms of this deal.

9:55am: The Mariners have agreed to a multi-year deal with Nelson Cruz, reports Dominican journalist Yancen Pujols (Spanish link). According to Pujols, its a four-year, $57MM contract. ESPNs Jerry Crasnick hears that the deal is still pending a physical (Twitter link). Cruz is represented by agent Diego Bentz of Relativity Sports.

Nelson Cruz

Cruz, 34, led the Majors in home runs this past season (40) while putting together an excellent .271/.333/.525 batting line. He ranked alongside Victor Martinez and Melky Cabrera as the best bats on the market this offseason, and he arguably provides the Mariners with the best power upgrade money could buy on the free agent market. Though hes never approached the 40 homers he hit in 2014 previously, Cruz boasts a lifetime .232 isolated power mark and has averaged 37 homers per 162 games since 2009.

He figures to see time in both right field and at DH with Seattle two areas in which Seattle needed additional offense. Mariners DHs combined to bat just .190/.266/.301 last year, while their right fielders hit a pedestrian .255/.308/.413. Though the move to Seattles Safeco Field would appear to be a detriment to his right-handed pop, both ESPN Park Factors and Baseball Prospectus Park Factors indicated that in 2014, Orioles Park at Camden Yards was actually less homer-friendly for right-handed bats than Safeco Field. Thats not to say Cruz will repeat his career year, but the drop-off could be less significant than some are anticipating.

 

[Teagz]

Hmmm kind of risky imo

 

[Pugz]

that's a bit long. i wouldn't have offered more than two years, but it could still be a big help.

 

[Thomas-Panda-Saxby]

4 years to a 34 year old who can easily decline at any moment. Maybe the first year may be worth it but I think he will decline majorly in 2-3 years.

 

[snipezo]

i'm not sure if hell be able to duplicate what he did last year considering hes now playing in a ballpark thats a nightmare for hitters. 
 
not really a fan of this deal. o's are wise to not match their offer.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

O's weren't willing to go more than 3 years.