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Seattle Mariners Reportedly Sign Nelson Cruz
According to El Caribe on twitter, the Mariners have agreed to a 4 year/$57 million contract with OF/DH Nelson Cruz:
Nelson Cruz está cerca de firmar con Seattle por 57 millones de dólares http://t.co/Fsxcc2r04y
— El Caribe (@ElCaribeRD) December 1, 2014
It comes as no great surprise that the Mariners either have a deal or are close to a deal with the right-handed slugger. His power numbers look to be imposing between Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the lineup.
#Mariners sign Nelson Cruz (per @Enrique_Rojas1). He is batting .234/.309/.440 with 9 HR in 52 career games at Safeco Field.
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) December 1, 2014
Though his batting average in 52 games at Safeco Field is low, his 9 home runs in 52 games is still significant power. This would translate to 14 or 15 home runs in the 81 home games. A 30 home run season by Nelson Cruz is exactly what the Mariners need.
Of course, we will give you more when we know more, but Jerry Crasnick on twitter has CONFIRMED the Nelson Cruz signing for the Mariners:
A baseball source confirms Nelson Cruz has agreed to multiyear deal with #mariners pending a physical exam.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 1, 2014
With Nelson Cruz in the fold for the Mariners, the question becomes where he plays on a day-to-day basis. It seems most like that he will play most of his games at designated hitter, though he could see a game or two on occasion out in right field.
More from Mariners News
- 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
- Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
- What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
- Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
- Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan
Cruz had a career year offensively last season, batting .271/.333/.525 with 40 home runs, 108 RBI, and 32 doubles. Even if he only gets to 25 home runs and 95 RBI in 2015 with the Mariners, he will be a major contributor to this offense.
Considering what the Mariners had offensively in right field and at the DH spot last season, Nelson Cruz will provide the power right-handed bat the M’s so desperately needed. And with a contract that averages $14.25 million per season, the Mariners aren’t paying an arm and a leg to get him.
Even better, the Mariners got the right-handed power they need without trading away any of their talent. Now, if they want another bat or another arm, they have the luxury to negotiate without being entirely desperate for a hitter.
Welcome to Seattle, Nelson Cruz. Look for more analysis, opinion, and information on the signing here at Sodo Mojo in the days to come, or follow us on twitter @SodoMojoFS.