TODAY: The Twins have officially announced Cruz’s signing.
DEC.27: The Twins are in agreement on a contract with free-agent slugger Nelson Cruz, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal with an option for a second season, according to Fancred’s Jon Heyman (on Twitter). Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes further reports that Cruz will earn $14MM in 2019, and the contract contains a $12MM club option with a $300K buyout (Twitter link). Cruz is represented by the Primo Sports Group.
Cruz, 38, was frequently linked to the Twins throughout the offseason. Minnesota stood out as a logical landing spot for the ultra-consistent slugger, as one of the few teams with a clear vacancy at designated hitter following the retirement of Joe Mauer and the decision to decline a club option over Logan Morrison. That pairing of Mauer and Morrison, then, will be swapped out for a more powerful combo of Cruz and C.J. Cron, whom Minnesota picked up from the Rays earlier this offseason.
Although he’s well into his late 30s, Cruz has shown little to no semblance of decline. His four-year, $57MM contract with the Mariners raised some eyebrows initially, but he not only lived up to every bit of that deal but actually provided Seattle with a fair bit of excess value. Over the life of that four-year pact, Cruz raked at a .284/.362/.546 pace despite playing half his games at Seattle’s pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. Cruz’s .256/.342/.509 batting line from 2018 was the weakest output of his four seasons in Seattle, but that was largely attributable to an uncharacteristic dip in his average on balls in play (.264 in 2018; .305 career). That BABIP drop came despite the fact that Cruz actually increased his hard-hit rate over his 2017 levels.
Adding Cruz will presumably push fellow righty slugger Tyler Austin into a bench role; the 27-year-old Austin showed huge power with the Twins following a midseason acquisition but remained strikeout-prone and OBP challenged. He can spell either of Cron or Cruz from time to time and has some corner outfield experience in the minors as well.
With Cruz in the fold, the Twins’ lineup will have the potential for quite a bit of power — particularly from the right side of the dish. Cruz has averaged 41 homers per season over the past half-decade, and he’ll slot into the heart of the order alongside Cron (30 homers in 2018) and Miguel Sano, who hit 28 home runs in just 114 games for the Twins in 2017
Of course, Sano’s status is one of the true mysteries for Minnesota heading into 2019; a fractured shin suffered by Sano late in 2017 ultimately led to offseason surgery that saw a titanium rod inserted into his leg, which prevented him from a full offseason of conditioning. If the lingering effects of that surgery are behind him and Sano can return to something approximating his 2017 levels of production, the Twins will possess a trio of right-handed sluggers to pair with lefty-swinging Eddie Rosario. Given the uncertainty surrounding Sano, Byron Buxton and fellow free-agent signing Jonathan Schoop, adding a player with Cruz’s perennial stability is all the more important for the Twins.
Financially speaking, the Twins can easily afford to add Cruz at $14MM for the upcoming season and still make additional moves. Cruz’s contract will boost the Twins’ 2019 payroll to just north of $100MM — a mark that is well shy of both the $112.6MM they’ve averaged over the past four seasons and the $128.7MM payroll they carried into the 2018 season a year ago. Beyond that, the fact that Cruz was added on a one-year guarantee means that the Twins still don’t have a single guaranteed contract on the books for the 2020 season, leaving them with more flexibility than any team in the Majors from a long-term vantage point.
Further additions would appear prudent for Minnesota. Though the Twins had a disappointing 2018 season, the American League Central still looks quite weak. The Tigers are still in the midst of a full-scale rebuilding effort, and though the Royals have indicated that they’ll aim to be more competitive in 2019, they’re in a largely similar situation. The White Sox have been rebuilding for a longer period of time and are showing signs of pushing closer to contention, but the 2020 season likely presents a more realistic timetable for the South Siders. Even the Indians, who have won three consecutive division titles, have weakened their roster to an extent this offseason, which at least creates an opportunity for the Twins to make another relatively surprising run. They’ll need bouncebacks from Sano and Buxton and could stand to further augment the pitching staff, though as noted above, they certainly have the financial resources available to make those moves.
2nd correct free agent destination
Nobody cares!
You care enough to comment back! Take your bitter bs somewhere else !
Amen
Amen to the Amen
lol
I care, brewfan27. I am a little envious though because I picked Cruz to the Rays ;-)
I found the douche.
That’s an awkward version of Where’s Waldo
Very true.
To be fair this is a contest that is hosted on this website, so it isn’t exactly like discussing your fantasy baseball team on here. I don’t participate but feel it’s reasonable to mention how you’re doing if that’s what you want to do
To be fair, it’s just like discussing your fantasy baseball team on here. It’s a meaningless game that has no consequences in real life, and thus nobody cares!
Stu Baron is just bitter that his hair betrayed him and ran away
I don’t care for Stu Baron
looks like a dude who would try and sell you some pyramid scheme
Says the guy who doesn’t show his face.
you don’t want to see this face. I have a face made for radio.
Um except it’s not just like discussing fantasy baseball for the reasons JRT just cited
because this is a MLB blog about rumors, not a dating app. Is that your pic for farmersonly.com as well??
Farmerist!
Nothing you say on here has any consequences to real life. Everything you type on here is literally a waste of time. You’re only doing it cause you enjoy it, so I’d say it’s fair game to say whatever
Stu…how rude! Speak only for yourself!
Stu is mad he still has zero. Obviously he took part in the contest every year and has never got a single destination right ever and realizes how irrelevant and wrong his opinion is so he’s mad online.
Stu nod.
Cruz is a beast, pure hitter. DH is harder to play the ?RF for sure.
Good signing as long as it’s not an obscene amount of money
Isn’t every signing?
Nope. Machado and Harper will sign for an obscene amount of money and it might end up being a good signing.
“Might” being the key word.
A more real definition of “obscene.”
Forbes reports that Kylie Jenner “earned” $166.5 million in 2017.
She can’t even hit OR field.
Good ball handling skills
I mean….even if they don’t produce up to the value of the contract, there’s still new season ticket sales, regular ticket sales, bigger plug on all the sports channels….it’ll be worth it for the owner in the long run. Maybe not the team, but definitely the owner’s wallet
@Dan_Oz That was funny!!
The Twins will very probably not win much of anything this year, but they lead MLB in numbers of DH’S and DH-types playing @ 1B and 3B; WITH more in AAA.
They got that goin’ for them……..
in a weak division with offense and starting pitching that isn’t great but ok with some guys ready to make the jump, I , and I’m sure plenty other, find your comment pretty terrible
They play in a weak division and have a great deal of young talent that was either injured or underperformed last year. I see them as at least a .500 team and maybe contending for the division.
The Twins literally have like almost the same roster minus Santana that they did at the end of 2017 and people said they were a team to watch but now they are a team that “wont win much”, I just dont get a it.
That is 100% incorrect, Morrison is gone and Mauer retired. Dozier, forsythe, grossman, drake… you get my point. Theee are many people gone or going
I did forgot Dozier and Mauer, all of those other ones were not on the Twins roster at the end of the 2017 season except Grossman who doesn’t change the team. Mauer and Cron are pretty much a wash, Cron might even be an improvement. Same goes for Dozier and Schoop, Dozier has been better in the past but recently they have been pretty equal. So again except for Santana how is the team any different than the team they had at the end of the 2017 season?
and ESCOBAR.
How do you forget Mauer & Dozier and call yourself a baseball fan?
Twins are Cruzing!
Whoa Nellie!
The steroids have probably worn off by now.
He’d have to stop taking them for that to happen.
True, but maybe the new ones are less effective?
There’s definitely ways around everything.
Not sure why this wasn’t the Rays… pretty much the money everyone predicted and what they candidly said they’d be comfortable spending.
They have other options. Encarnacion and Castellanos are available for all but nothing.
EE maybe but Castellanos wont be had for “next to nothing”.
Yeah I can see that but I take Cruz over either of those. I’m sure the rays and mariners have kinda had a plan all along since the “false reports” of him going straight to Tampa came out.
Because they’re incredibly cheap and won’t pay for real talent, I’m shocked they signed Morton.
Nice job, twins. Even if they end up stinking up the house, he’s a nice trade candidate.
One year? That’s unexpected.
No lose move for the non contending twins. He won’t be with the team the whole year anyway
They should contend, especially if Kluber is traded from Cleveland.. Now have Cruz and Cron to take pressure off the other players. If they can sign somebody like Jed Lowrie on a s-t deal to play 2B, they should be pretty good this year.
They signed Jonathan Schoop
Forgot about that. Well, if he has a bounce back year…
Even without kluber they still win the central imo. It’s not like the twins have gotten better besides for this move
The Twins have gotten better if you consider who is coming back from injury and who they replaced. I think Sano and Buxton will be better. Buxton’s defense alone is worth a few games. Cron and Austin have more power and offensive punch than two seasons of Joe Mauer at 1B. Grossman et. al. at DH was awful last year. Dozier had an awful year at the plate so a decent year from Schoop could be an improvement. A full year of Polanco who was suspended the first half of the season. Reed was injured last year and hopefully will be better. Pineda has much better stuff than Lynn and Santana (good pitcher but wasn’t the same after the surgery). Plug a few holes in the bullpen, try May as the closer and this team might take the Indians.
The Twins need pitching. Other than Berrios, the Twins are weak at SP.
Gibson and Odorizzi are fine mid rotation starters. Pineda will be back. It does get a little ugly after that.
It’s funny that people think that if Kluber gets traded that the “we can compete in the central” comes up. Losing one of our four potential aces may hurt, but keep in mind the return he will get back. Just silliness.
Based on the bad bullpen, and the history of injuries among the starters. trading Kluber will hurt more than you expect. Teams will be trading for ONE year of Kluber. Might bring back less than you think.
what? Kluber has three years of control…
Injuries? They just had four starters pitch over 200IP with 200k’s. Again, trading Kluber frees up more money, brings back reasonably priced MLB production and sets them up for a long window of winning. I’m not saying that they will solve all the issues with his trade (to the dodgers) but they are getting something back to make them more competitive and to fill in their outfield (verdugo) and their bullpen. To simply state that trading Kluber levels the playing field on the AL Central is absolutely ridiculous.
Indians in current state can’t compete with any of the top teams in the AL. Their bullpen is absolutely gone besides Hand and they still don’t have any outfielders. All it will take is one injury to Lindor or Ramirez and you’re suddenly the Angels
If the Indians don’t get what they want they keep him. It is very simple.
Yankeepride88 #1 it is late December. Let’s see what the Indians final roster is before we judge. #2 – The Yankees pitching is an injury waiting to happen. #3 – Astros lost 3 starting pitchers and Marwin Gonzalez who really helped them. #4 – Boston lost their only 2 good bullpen pieces in Kimbrel and Kelly. Yes, injuries can affect a team, Yankees are one injury to a pitcher to have a middle pitching staff.
But Kluber is one of the best pitchers in baseball. To say that losing him won’t weaken the Indians is silly, even considering the potential return. But this Twins fan doesn’t think they trade him. Cleveland is doing the smart thing and simply listening to offers, needing to be blown away to make a move. That front office isn’t stupid.
Can’t wait to see Cruz hit a bunch of homer runs off of Tigers pitching
At least Comerica will steak a few of them but yeah, he will rake!
Nelson Cruz literally has naming right privileges at Comerica after the beating he gave them in the post season several years ago as a Ranger.
He doesnt wait for the post season. He lives on Tigers pitching.
We’re rebuilding right now, so duh of course he’ll hit some home runs off of us. Let’s see how Cruz does against competing teams.
Yes Scott, I am well aware THEY are in a rebuild. I was more making fun of the fact that even when THEY were good, Cruz owned the Tigers.
Been a fan since I was Darnell Coles hit a walk off homer in 1986 as a 7 year old…..never referred to them as “we” when talking about the Tigers.
Great signing, great hitter
It’s interesting too how the older Cruz has gotten the healthier he has been. He used to be so injury prone
Not last year.
Yankeepatriot — Not gunning for a fight here, but I was wondering if that was an insinuation of some kind? If it is, why don’t you put on the big boy shoes, take off the rubber pants, and just come out and say whatever is on that troubled mind of yours. I’m listening. I can help you with that shadow work. If it isn’t an insinuation, what is the point of the comment? I’m not posting about how I ate three pieces of bacon instead of two while reading the article on Cruz. Get my drift?
lol what?!?
“Not gunning for a fight here, but now I’m just going to insult you bizarrely for an hour and a half…”
Yeah that response is hilarious. Hilarytrump, what is the point of your reply. it seems as if you just had something “witty” to say that you had store on a post-it for some time just in case someone said something about Nelson Cruz. You’re a crazy person
I wasn’t making an accusation, it’s just an observation. He’s doing something kind of out of the norm (which isn’t possible. If anything it shows that a injury prone player can manage to stay healthy
I’m here to talk baseball, leave your insecurities about your Nelson Cruz and lame insults out the door
Living in the northwest I am force-fed Mariners (I know, purgatory) and in one of the articles that was written, a writer just a few years ago, described his off season and in-season routines. They were incredible. He would take fly balls for two hours and do all kinds of agility drills among other things. He would run circles around the younger players. Like Tom Brady, I think he out works everyone else.
Ideally it would be David Freese hitting those daily fungos to Nelson Cruz – gotta’ make that catch!
tom shady out works everyonr??? Hes one of the biggest cheaters in sports!
Yankee — I just want people to act like adults and say what they are thinking rather than saying vague cryptic things that seem to insinuate PEDs. If you have proof he uses, out with it. If not, keep it internal. Anyone can throw mud, and I think behind rape and murder, character assassination if the worst thing a person can do to another.
I think people misunderstood. The comment made by the other poster was insinuating PEDs. I think we can all agree with that. I just wish people would commit to their thoughts rather than being passive-aggressive about it. I was being honest about how I wasn’t looking for a fight and how I wish people would quit being so PC about their comments and just come out and say what they wanted to say. I honestly apologize for the “big boy comments” as that was out of character for me. I simply find it frustrating when people dance around things rather than speak their mind.
You’re passive aggressive response of not looking for fight was amazing. because you were. Saying you were not looking for a fight and then using words afterwards that insinuate a argument is passive aggressive.
Ichiro — I apologized for my actions. You can take them at face value or not, but I am exposing my vulnerability and ego by doing this. I am opening up and saying I made a mistake. Is that just so rare on this site that it confuses people? Is the concept of an apology so foreign to people they are unsure of what to do when confronted with one?
The older he’s gotten. the less he’s played the field, so the less he’s gotten hurt?
Steroids are great for that.
Yeahhhhh boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!
The man indeed can hit a ball.
I don’t see why trading for JMart from the CRdinals wouldn’t have been a better move.
Cause this cost nothing but money and you get to keep the players you would’ve traded
Players? It would take ONE player(prospect) to get Jose Martinez. Then again, Gepetto and Pinocchio in STL think he’s probably worth 3 because they over value their players to the point of insanity. Now, come July, they will trade Martinez for a gross of double bubble and an equipment manager.
I think you have an extremely low valuation of Martinez. Just because he’s limited defensively doesn’t mean he’s of no value. He had a top 40 OPS and is one of the few hitters that combine to give you power, batting average and OBP. and he has 4 years of control left. He has enough value to get a good prospect in return. Good prospect doesn’t simply mean a top 100 list prospect.
What’s your problem with STL – every post you get more and more ignorant about their team/organization. ?
Martinez is not a young prospect and does not have the history of Cruz. Could he put up similar numbers? who knows? Cruz has a track record that helps lessen the gamble. The Twins just let Morrison go after they pluck him following his one good season. Surprise, it wasnt a trend. .
@paynetrain are you referring to me?
NO../.guy’s name is Stu
Because Cruz hits more dingers, only costs money not a prospect and is on a s-t deal
Because Cruz is better and has no acquisition cost. Best guess.
Bc you keep prospects then flip Cruz at the TD for more prospects. Prospects.
Good signing for the Twins. I was hoping to see Cruz with the Rays in the AL East but it did not occurred.
Thank god he didn’t sign with the Rays. Would’ve hated having to deal with him 18 games
As a Rays fan I’m glad too. $14 mil for an aging DH wouldn’t be the best value for them. Lots of DH types will be available later.
But none can hit as good. And hitting is somewhat important for a DH
Or dope as good!
One of the best guys in baseball. Happy for him. Will miss him for sure in Seattle.
Really? The guy was caught cheating, if you’re still a fan cool, but no way can you make him out to be one of the best guys in baseball. There are too many guys doing it the right way, and being a great person off the field to include guys who cheat the game.
I believe he is referring to his personality. And besides don’t you believe in forgiveness? That was a few years ago and I would imagine he’s being tested frequently now. Just because someone messes up and gets caught doesn’t mean they aren’t a good person. You’ve never done something regrettable?
Would your place of employment forgive embezzlement?
Did Nelson Cruz steal something that wasn’t his? How long did he go to jail for? Those are two questions you could have asked yourself before posting. Embezzlement is not a fair comparison for taking steroids.
Cruz didn’t embezzle anything.
Work on your analogies.
SALARY!!!
Far from embezzlement when his team likely benefited from his roids and he also did not get paid while suspended. Not even close to a good analogy.
He got paid while using until the suspension. Did they get that money back?
No, but they didnt offer refunds to the paying fans either.
“Did Nelson Cruz steal something that wasn’t his?” Yes the money the organization paid him while he was on the stuff.
Slevin, they didn’t ask for the money back…so why are you? He didn’t screw over the team, he simple did not adhere to the MLB policy. The team was actually quite happy with the way it all went down and how he handled it.
There are way too many guys that may have made it had others not have cheated for me to forgive the cheaters. Made a mistake, regrettable, it’s all b-s. These guys cheat their way into big stats, big contracts and get slapped on the wrist when they finally get caught. There are tons of guys who have never touched PEDs that missed a shot at the show ever so slightly. Those guys didn’t get rich, didn’t fulfill their dream, didn’t get what some should have accomplished.
So in short, no I don’t have forgiveness for cheaters.
Who would you rather watch? A guy that used PEDs in the past or a crappy fringe guy that probably isn’t worth a roster spot? Not condoning the actions of some but it’s not like those drugs are the golden ticket onto a big league roster. Guys like Cruz would have been on a 25 man regardless. So to say he took someone’s spot is inaccurate.
How many times did he go yard on a guy that was borderline? How many PED guys have cost someone a little more time in the bigs? How many could have put things together if they had just a little more time?
Stop defending cheaters. They screwed others over one way or another.
The team was quite happy with how he handled it?!
The Rangers paid him millions of dollars, he gets caught and is out when it matters most, the end of the year and the playoffs. He didn’t attempt to appeal the suspension for his own sake, so he’d have less games under suspension with his new club, meaning he is worth more. You think the team was happy that it went down that way?
You really believe that is the only choice? If not Cruz, some noboby? Who knows, maybe J Martinez got his shot in St.L @ 29 because they didnt want a PED user?
Cheaters always win, and winners always cheat.
You’re wrong twice.
Yep, the Astros totally cheated their way to a World Series victory in 2017.
“Although he’s well into his late 30s, Cruz has shown little to no semblance of decline”
PEDS work. The questions left are 1) what exactly did Cruz take and 2) did those PEDS create a permanent and lasting improvement that he has been benefiting from or 3) has he simply evaded detection?
Sure buddy, whatever you say.
What wrote is absolutely true.
He’s a PED user. He was only caught because of a paper trail, which means he knows how not to test positive.
Now you have a shortstop and DH that you can be proud to root for.
I hope my team doesn’t sign Grandal because I don’t want to root for a cheater. And that was only testosterone..
2) did those PEDS create a permanent and lasting improvement that he has been benefiting from.
That would be scientifically impossible.
These posters won’t listen to science and logic.
All we know is he’s willing to cheat for money and he knows how to not test positive.
HRs as a 30+ year old, 283.
HR sin his 20s- 77
Hows that for science and logic.
He only played two seasons in his 20’s where he came anywhere close to a full season….
Hows that for science and logic.?
No on both counts.
Scott Rolen — Good luck on the ballot vote. I think you were an underrated player. I heard a rumor that you took PEDs, is that true? No please, can you answer the question? I mean you were teammates with Ray Lankford and Jim Edmonds and many others who were teammates with Mark McGwire. I am wondering if you could talk about that for a moment? Scott? Scott?
No, don’t get defensive. We know that Cruz was busted. We just don’t know how you know how he avoided detection for the years afterwards. Since he was part of the Biogenesis scandal and never actually busted with drugs in his system, can you do a powerpoint presentation on the masking of drugs in today’s game?
Players have no one to blame for suspicions but themselves.
When talking about drug testing, Fehr was comical in his defense for not testing. It literally took an act of congress to get drug testing in baseball.
Wow, you mean that macstruts? So is that true about people who are exonerated from prison and death row because DNA proves they weren’t the culprit? Did those people deserve their fate? This isn’t black and white. Sometimes people who cheat have it catch up with them. Sometimes people hang out with cheaters and that paints them unfairly. Sometimes people get blamed for things because of the biases or perceptions of others. Sometimes there are campaigns to intentionally malign individuals. So come on, this world isn’t black and white. What you say can be true and it can be false.
Campaigns to intentionally malign someone??? Please provide examples.
Throughout history, really? How about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Wow, what density are you living on? How about Assange, Snowden, every foreign leader the US wants to take out? You want me to stick to baseball? Alex Rodriguez. Barry Bonds Sammy Sosa. It doesn’t mean these players didn’t deserve some major criticism, perhaps a lot, but there were pretty obvious campaigns out there, although I bet the tunnel vision of culture provided much of the negativity.
“…permanent and lasting improvement…”
Lol I’m pretty sure you don’t know how PED’s work. It’s not like a radioactive spider bit him and turned him into Spiderman.
This is a really good signing by the Twins, especially with such a limited commitment
calling it now: 2019 Central Division Champs. And I’m an Indians fan.
Lol. Don’t throw in the towel yet Chief. Twins need help in the pitching department unless Pineda and one of the kids lights on fire. Bullpen is still a mess mostly so they have a couple moves to make before they take the division imo.
That being said I think the Tribe is bound to regress from last year and the Twins should gain some so at the least it should be a fun year for Twins and Indians fans.
I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility since the Twins simply have to be better than last year’s disaster, but their starting rotation is still hot garbage outside of Berrios and maybe Gibson.
But I hear ya – Twins are trying to improve while the Indians are, well, they saved $30m and can now give away all of those leftover Carlos Santana bobbleheads! Cleveland’s offseason has been an embarrassment so far, so that division will be closer than last year for sure.
It is late December, Ghost, Let’s see where the Indians are at the end of spring training.
You call yourself an Indians fan? No true Indians fan would say something like that.
The Jose Martinez trade market is drying up.
The Jose Martinez trade market was never flowing.
Flowing?
EEEEWWWWWWW!
I hope it goes completely dry. Jose Martinez was one of the best hitters in the NL last year. Hope the Cards hand on to him!
Hang not hand. Dang spellcheck
Only two more signings to go; Cody Allen and Jed Lowrie.
Why would they sign Jed Lowrie?
Don’t sleep on schoop either. I’d be happy if I were a twins fan
Good signing for the Twins. One year contract at $14M. Only a $300K buyout. Twins will almost surely buyout unless Cruz continues to put up another monster year for only $12M. Usually, you see option year salaries increase.
Excited as a Twins fan. Lineup is pretty stout. Especially if Buxton, Sano, and Schoop can rebound to form we’ve seen in the past. Time to concentrate on pitching Falvine!!
Nooooooooooooooooo! I wanted him in Houston. Bad Luhnow, bad Luhnow.
Unreal numbers for late 30s.
I hope he continues slaying.
Right Unreal. Unreal numbers for a known cheater who was only caught because of a paper trail.
I think you mean experimenting.
Another team that doesn’t mind bringing in a cheater if he helps them win..
Teams will sign anyone who can help them win. PEDs, wife beaters, hell, probably killers. It is what it is.
Got it right! Unfortunately I’m still now 3-22 on predictions.
Should be a good veteran presence for Sano, Buxton & Rosario. Little by little the Twins been making some good moves. They may be a nice little surprise team next year.
Next on their list: 3B Mike Moustakas
All they need now is Chuck Knoblauch, Kent Hrbek, Steve Bedrosian, Jack Morris and Rick Aguilera.
I loved pre yips Knoblauch, good leadoff hitter for us. His throwing problems are still a mystery to me
please don’t forget Gary Gaetti and Danny Gladden’s mullet
Cave
Polanco
Rosario
Cruz
Cron
Sano
Schoop
Astudillo
Kepler
That lineup has some pop but also a lot of swing and miss.
Well, if you put Astudillo in there, I bet they’re average on swing-and-miss. Dude went 54 games without a K… strikeout rate was a hair over 2%!
I doubt he’ll really be the starting catcher, tho. And I think it’ll be Buxton rather than Cave.
This was a very good signing for the Twins. Cruz will fit in well in the middle of the lineup and offer much needed protection for Sano. I expect Buxton to come back strong this year, using the September snub as motivation, and if Sano can get in shape, this should help everyone in the lineup. I still wish we had Escobar but I’m hoping Schoop can revert to glory year form. I’m curious to see if a new pitching coach will make any difference as it seemed in the past few years the other teams too often seemed to know what the Twins pitchers were going to throw, especially Berrios (who has wicked movement on his pitches).
Now a closer. Allen would be a nice fit. Then in a fantasy world they get Marwin Gonzalez to fill in when either Sano or Buxton tanks again or is on the DL ( almost a given )
Here comes Boomdick
I’ve got a crazy idea. Maybe Cruz isn’t taking PED’s. He hasn’t been suspected of it since 2013, and even if he was, something would have came up by now.
Yes, it’s a crazy idea. He was caught with paper work and his career arc screams PED. 77 HRs in his 20s, 283 in his 30s.. Since he has found a way to beat the system, and he has already proven to have low moral character, he might still be cheating.. Who Knows?
He’s a thief. He stole wins and outs from pitchers and fans. He stole history and accomplishments from other players..
People soft coat that, but that’s what he is. I wouldn’t want my team to sign him because I wouldn’t want to root for a thief.
.
I don’t blame players for trying to be the best and making the most money possible. Can’t say I’d be able to resist it. Just part of the game in my opinion, I know it will get downvotes
I’m sure he’s been tested plenty of times. Like you said, 283 HRS in his 30’s is really good. And plus, you’re not taking into account that he only played 100+ games twice in his 20’s, and his career started in 2005 when he was 24. He’s only played less than 120 games once since he turned 30. That was when he got busted for roids. There’s more evidence supporting that he’s not taking roids anymore than still taking roids.
Jesus you just don’t ever shut the f— up do you. You’re valid point is now lost because you sound like a bitter old man who’s trope no one cares about.
I’m honestly surprised nobody else was interested in him, he’s been a consistent offensive producer for a decade now
Good signing, twinkies. Too bad the White Sox gotta swoop in and drop a bomb on that hiney with a Harper AND Machado twin flame signing. LETS! GOOOOOOOO!!!!
Not crazy about this signing. Sounds like another Logan Morrison to me. Would rather Twins went after Kyle Seager or Wil Myers.
I think Wil Myers could become a superstar with the right team. And with the Twins I think he would have been a much better option than the Cron/Austin combo. He would have been a much more expensive option as well, but sometimes you have to take risks. I think Wil Myers is worth that risk. He has 30/30 ability (or at least consistent 30/20 capability), walks, and with a little more confidence, should be able to hit north of .270 every year. He just doesn’t respond to pressure very well (I don’t mean situational pressure, but more pressure about expectations of being the star player), and with Sano and Buxton, that pressure would clearly have been taken away.
I’m not getting the Logan Morrison connection. Morrison was an average player who had a career year and then went back down (due to injury and/or regression). Cruz has been a very good hitter for six years now. He may regress, but he’s nothing like Morrison.
Cruz has been very good the past 4-5 years. But how do they say in finance, “past results are no guarantee of future success”. He’s 38. Is this $14M compensating him for what we’ll see in ‘19, or for what he gave Seattle in years gone by? We shall see. I think the cash could have been better spent.
Any player could fall off a cliff, even those who are only 28 or 25. Pick any age. It can happen to anyone at any time. That doesn’t mean you never sign anyone. 14M for a guy who gets on base at a decent clip, has an average strikeout rate and provides great power is completely worth it.
Just because he’s older doesn’t automatically mean he’s going to stop being good immediately. Shouldn’t he have regressed and been out of baseball years ago? Usually players don’t make it to his age. They are out of baseball by 34 or so. I’m sure the Mariners don’t regret paying him. He could have provided no production for them. People were probably saying the same thing about him back then.
Players who have a decent eye tend to last a lot longer than those who don’t. Cruz is one of those players and he has a very good work ethic. There are never guarantees in baseball, but even if he only provides what he did last year or even a bit under it, he’s will be very much worth 14M.
The Wil Myers fan club is pretty relentless. For a guy who can’t stay healthy, doesn’t hit much and who plays a position with little defensive value, he sure has his hard core fans.
Many religious, spiritual, and humanist practices consider rumors to be second behind rape and murder on the scale of “bad deed” as it is an assassination of a person’s character, or if you believe in such a thing, their soul. I see a lot of that going on within this post.
(And yes I understand that the name of this site is MLB Trade Rumors but this site is meant to be about guessing and surmising where players will sign and be traded to — it doesn’t mean insinuation and character assassination). Can we just agree that although Nelson Cruz was busted in the Biogenesis scandal, he has never been guilty of testing for PEDs? We don’t know the truth and really anyone who thinks they do is making sh*t up. He could be completely innocent and he could have been the man behind the curtain. The point is we don’t know, so please quit acting like you do. Thank you.
He didn’t deny it and didn’t appeal his suspension. He cheated and was able to pass all his test. As far as not knowing the truth, we don’t know if he’s still cheating or not.
He’s a thief. He stole outs and wins from other pitchers. That means he took money out of other players pockets. Who knows he’s still doing it.
77 HRs in his 20s. 283 in his 30s That makes no sense, unless of course he’s cheated a lot in his 30s.
I’m very surprised death by stoning wasn’t his punishment. It seems that is the only acceptable punishment for many on this site.
Macstrusts. Let it lie. There are many mysteries in life you and I will never be able to solve. Maybe the awakening of Nelson Cruz is one of them. You could very well be correct. So what if you are?
I hope no one ever levels a complaint against you at your workplace, smearing you behind your back. Maybe you did that complaint or maybe you didn’t, the damage is done. And if your accusers don’t back it up with evidence, how would that make you feel? You are gossiping and you are assassinating another man’s character. If you did that to me, I’d let it slide, But if you kept it up, I’d come to your doorstep and make you say it to my face. This really is disgusting behavior on your part.
therealryan, I agree…it seems that people are out for blood.
macstruts – That is true…but who is to say that the people playing against him or competing for the same position weren’t taking PEDs as well. It is very easy to look at Barry Bonds and say how a terrible person he is because he took PEDs. His demise is that he was the best while on PEDs. There are many players that take it to go from a AA/AAA player to break into the big leagues. If that is what it takes to break through then some choose to take the risk. I think you can remember many pitchers who were linked as well.
Look at Melky Cabrera, who has made $71m + in his 12 year career. He was the first player to serve a 50 game suspension. Was it worth it? Ask him, but he wouldn’t have gotten half that money if he was a below average hitter. In 2011, he hit .305 and in 2012 he would have won the batting title if he didn’t get caught and suspended while hitting .346. Many people are naive if you think only the players that get caught are the ones doing something against league policy.
bonds had never tested positive for steroids when using them was against mlb rules. vote bonds in!
Listen I completely understand alot of people getting frustrated when people yell about steroids. But as an individual who tries to be logical and reasonable I get frustrated when everyone shuts down the argument and if I don’t have the very needle they injected themselves with i am not allowed to talk. We have to start looking at steroids more logically, I understand anything can happen but massive home run spikes, late career explosions, SLG % increases are pretty damning evidence, I have no clue if Nelson Cruz took roids or not. But he definitely exhibits some of the warning signs and has been linked. On an individual level I get anything can happen but when large groups of players are doing things outside the norm then clearly something is going on. They pulled the wool over our eyes once, I refuse to be made a fool of again, this is not a court of ;law I am allowed to draw conclusions based on what I see. Roids were rampant in the game during the 90’s was Thome on them? Griffey? Jeter? A-Rod? honestly I have NO idea, but I do know they were everywhere so it must be looked at.
Yes, you’re certainly allowed to take speculative pot shots at everyone who hits a home run in the majors.
Good signing for the Twins. Wonder if they would now consider making a run at Kimbrel? With no guaranteed money on the books after this season they could certainly afford to make a competitive offer, and he would be a huge addition to their bullpen. I’m not suggesting they break the bank on him but if his asking price comes down to a 4 year deal I think it would be worth it. Pair that with a solid SP and all of a sudden the Twins look pretty good
How anybody could be against this signing is beyond me. Cruz could hit 30 to 35 dingers.If he doesn’t you part ways in one year. This seems like a no-brainer. Very little risk for Twins with pretty large upside.
This is a great move if they get a top of the rotation starter and more bullpen help. Without further moves this is just a lame attempt to get the fanbase talking and a midseason trade chip to teams that actually try to win. I’ve been sticking up for the Twins and the “Twins Way” for decades. Since this new FO has taken over I have a hard time doing it. At some point make a big league move!
Other than a trade, do you see a frontline starter that is available right now? I do not.
Well I meant mostly by trade, I’d consider Dallas a top of the rotation starter though.
For Twins fans.
What if it was found out that Adam Kennedy was using PEDs in 2002? Would you consider him a good guy?
If he was using PEDs, he stole a World Series from you. He stole money from Twins players. And he stole history.
Then again, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez and A-Rod were tested for PEDs, they did everything possible to prevent the Angels from advancing in the playoffs.
David Ortiz 177 HRs in his 20s. 364 after his 20s. And a failed test.
For all we know everyone playing for the Twins in 2002 was using too. The worst part of PEDs is that they give everyone open license to cast suspicion and doubt wherever they want.
If you’re still hung up on who was and wasn’t a user in the height of the roid era it’s time to let go. It’s a tainted era. A lot of people used, plenty didn’t, the era happened and while the PED cloud of course still hangs over the game, we are no longer in the classical roid era where PED use dominated the game… time to move on.
Macstruts – Your valid points about the roid era is lost because you sound like an old man who just won’t shut the f— up about how it’s not the same as it used to be in my day. Make your point then let it go. Obviously, others, including many team front offices, don’t care about the prior PED use.
It must be hell for you to even watch a game. God forbid anyone has to be present when you do.
Would hypothetical PED-Kennedy be the nail in the coffin that year? Or would it have been Bonds, or anyone else on those teams that could be under suspicion of using. It doesn’t matter.
Also, it’s best to include # of plate appearances if you are going to arbitrarily list homerun totals. For those same periods Ortiz had 177 HR in 3584 PA and 364 HR in 5881 PA.
He’ll hit less homers simply because he will not be facing Twins pitching
Your comment is factually incorrect. Cruz had 14 at-bats against the Twins last season producing 3 hits, one of which was a long ball. He’ll be fine hater.
He hit a lot more of those home runs the previous years against the Twins. 4 each in 2015/2016.
Oh please!
Ryan got his thumpers and 200 home runs and 103 losses. This is no different, power sells tickets. Ryan always claimed the teams would be ” competitive” , this is no different. Nothing has changed. I would expect a slightly above .500 season. Me I thought winning was important, but now its about selling the idea of a future. all the teams do it.. it sells tickets, has made the MLB richer by far. Winning is just a side show.
I don’t think this was a “sell tickets” move at all. The proven bat was a big need and it rounds out the lineup nicely. On paper at least. I think they are a couple bullpen pieces away from being pretty decent. They do need a rotation arm but my guess is they wait til mid summer to find one of those. This could be a fun team to watch. Or they could be real disappointing. Either way it will be interesting to follow.
I know alot of people get annoyed with anti steroid stuff, but I am mildy triggered the article didn’t even mention it.
nobody talks about hall-of-famers using greenies. greenies were the best thing happen to baseball. steroids were the best thing happen to baseball. and hgh’s are the best thing happening for the baseball!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! give me one good reliever and I’m pumped!
I’m surprised the Twins made this move after Falvey’s less than warm and fuzzy comments on the possibility of this signing happening. I’m glad it has the option year. That’s a win-win for the Twins.
For a team with seemingly unlimited question marks who could either turn into a 100 win to a 100 loss team, having at least one perpetually weak position covered is a nice feeling.
A lot would have to go wrong for this to be a 100 loss team. I just can’t see it happening. Last year was the everything went wrong year, this one looks quite promising. Twins are positioned well right now with impact guys in their system and a payroll that is entirely in check for the future. I bet the next few offseasons will be spent on top tier pitching It also might be a good idea to dabble in the trade market for young controllable high upside arms.
More things would have to go right to win 100 than lose 100.
That said, to lose 90 all that has to happen is for most of the guys to have the same kind of year this year as they had last year and the other teams in the AL Central to be marginally better.
I just want to say, the roast session of Stu Baron gave me so much hope that this comment section can overcome the trolls.
Also- Hell of a signing Minnesota, putting together quite the offseason, but not in a flashy “win the offseason” way.
Schoop, Cruz and Cron should give this offense a nice little jolt next season.
The last time the Twins had this kind of raw power potential was 2010 with Jim Thome, Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel and even Delmon Young. That was a very successful season. This could be a fun offense to watch!
If I’m Nelson Cruz I take a few million less to sign with the Astros or TB, places with a legitimate shot at going to the World Series. Yeah, TB may be a stretch, but the Twins have what? A 100:1 chance of sneaking into the playoffs with a wildcard? Wu-Tang: Cash rules everything around me.
Astros really don’t have a lineup hole to add a guy like Cruz. They have too many great quality hitters who need everyday at-bats. I think he did just fine by joining the Twins.
If you’re Nelson Cruz you just signed with the Twins.
Great Fit
most of those home runs were in Al east ball parks and home field of Baltimore, his home runs will go down significantly
He’s averaged 40+ in Seattle. One of the most pitcher friendly parks in the league
Gardenhire recommended Cruz and agreed to take him if he doesn’t workout for the Twins.
Anyone here remember Jose? He had a serious batting stance and fearsome look when swinging. Oh yeah…awesome hair too.
I’ve got to be honest. It’s not hard to spell Cron or Cruz. I’m not impressed Austin can do that “from time to time” at all. Their last names are only 4 letters long. Austin should be able to spell their names any time.
Do you think maybe when the Twins DFA Austin, he’ll get better at spelling?
Y’know… If we could wait until after a few of these guys sign to pick, I’d do a LOT better in the free agent contest…
Too much for a DH. If you only play half the game, you should make half the money.
He does…. if he played even average D he would be making well over 20 million a year. He’s a steal at this price. If he plays like he should we can get him for even cheaper next year with the club option.
Would be nice to see if the Twins can now flip Austin and Cave for some a LH arms
Austin was a waiver wire pick up by the Twins when he was DFA’d last year and he showed no new ability. He’s worthless in a trade and is probably 50/50 to even make the roster out of Spring Training this year. Cave is probably a 4th outfielder.
Combine those two and you likely don’t even get a pitcher the caliber of Adalberto Meija, who is also on a roster spot bubble.
Austin was not a waiver wire pickup. He was part of the Lynn trade. He was optioned by the Yankees before that, which is why he was in the minors at the time of the trade.
You’re probably mixing up the acquisition type with Cave who was DFA’d before the season started and a trade was worked out.
This signing and the very strong possibility the the Twins will carry 13 pitchers out of camp makes Austin a candidate for the waiver wire as I believe he is out of options. Carrying Austin make the bench back to what it was when terry Ryan had his “Thumpers”. Defensively unfit for the positions. They should never carry 3 1st base dh types and 2 catchers with very limited flexibility.. It worked really well for Ryan, Sano in the outfield and 200 home runs, with 103 losses.
Yep. He was DFA’d by the Yankees last year, and that’s how the Twins got him in the first place. Austin has no potential growth. He’s been in the Yankees system since age 17. If he had any potential and upside, the Yankees would have already unlocked it.
Not arguing with your comments on Austin’s skills and what not but the Twins acquired him in the Lance Lynn trade I believe not on waivers.
I’d like to have Mauer back.
We’d all love to keep watching Joe play, but he did the right thing for his health and his family.
So what’s everyone’s gues for his HR total?
Over or under 40?
Under
I’ll say under at 36
The thing is Austin wasn’t DFA’d by the Yankees last year, he was a part of the Lance Lynn deal that sent him and Luis Rijo to the Twins. If the Twins are really set on trading Austin (and Cave) for some LH pitching, they’re likely gonna have to include 1-2 prospects to do so, which shouldn’t be a problem. Also, as a Twins fan I can tell you that Mejia is not on the roster bubble, he’ll either be our 5th starter or a multi-inning reliever.