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Blue Jays Have Shown Interest In Nelson Cruz

By Darragh McDonald | July 14, 2023 at 3:02pm CDT

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.

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Toronto Blue Jays Nelson Cruz

Cardinals Interested In Logan Gilbert
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Athletics Outright Tyler Wade
View Comments (31)

Comments

  1. its_happening

    3 months ago

    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.

    1
    Reply
    • iverbure

      3 months ago

      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.

      Reply
      • Fever Pitch Guy

        3 months ago

        Iver – I’m guessing Double E and Joey Bats would recommend their good friend Dr. Galea to Mr. Cruz

        2
        Reply
      • its_happening

        3 months ago

        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.

        Reply
  2. BizzyDat

    3 months ago

    No they haven’t

    Reply
  3. jdgoat

    3 months ago

    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.

    2
    Reply
    • mlb fan

      3 months ago

      Imo, Bichette is the Jay’s best, most consistent hitter. They should try to lock him up before the price goes out of sight.

      Reply
    • smuzqwpdmx

      3 months ago

      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?

      Reply
  4. kingcong95

    3 months ago

    BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
    BRING OUT YOUR DEAD

    2
    Reply
  5. stymeedone

    3 months ago

    I’m not dead yet!

    Reply
  6. cynomatic

    3 months ago

    It’s worth a look if he has anything left in the take for minor cost it will be to sign him

    Reply
  7. CommentingOnAFreeBallAppDoesNotMakeYouAnExpert

    3 months ago

    Feels like a waste a spot on the roster

    Reply
    • scotthhh

      3 months ago

      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.

      1
      Reply
    • Rsox

      3 months ago

      Not really. With the versatility that Biggio, Merrifield and Espinal have they can afford to roster Belt and Cruz at the same time

      Reply
    • smuzqwpdmx

      3 months ago

      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.

      1
      Reply
      • Rsox

        3 months ago

        Maybe, but they could be looking for the veteran bat and hoping he has anything left in the tank

        Reply
  8. miltpappas

    3 months ago

    Sign a cheater, but release a guy (Anthony Bass) for expressing an opinion. What a class organization.

    2
    Reply
    • andrewhanna

      3 months ago

      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.

      1
      Reply
      • This one belongs to the Reds

        3 months ago

        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.

        Reply
      • miltpappas

        3 months ago

        Why? Because he didn’t defend freaks and the idiocy of the Dodger organization? Go kiss your photo of Hillary and go to bed.

        1
        Reply
        • This one belongs to the Reds

          3 months ago

          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.

          1
          Reply
      • its_happening

        3 months ago

        Replacing Bass with Mitch White was the solution. Absolutely top notch.

        Reply
    • jdgoat

      3 months ago

      Lol that’s certainly a take

      Reply
    • Justajaysfan

      2 months ago

      Not only did he express an opinion….he’s numbers sucked!! People seem to forget that part, so why keep the distraction?

      Reply
  9. In Seager We Trust

    3 months ago

    This guy learned how to hit right as he left Texas. What luck!

    Reply
  10. NoSaint

    3 months ago

    Jays have interest in Cruz? But the weather’s too warm for April 1.

    Reply
  11. emt126

    3 months ago

    His average is still better than 75% of the Yankees starters

    Reply
  12. emt126

    3 months ago

    His average is still better than 75% of Yankees starters

    Reply
  13. thefaithfulfriar

    3 months ago

    Go Nellie go! Keep cashing them checks baby! Why not?

    Reply
  14. Moonlight Graham

    3 months ago

    Perhaps they’re thinking of adding him more as a mentor for Vladdy…

    Reply
  15. GarryHarris

    3 months ago

    False rumor

    Reply

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