The Top Five Landing Spots for Nelson Cruz
While enjoying his 40th trip around the sun, Nelson Cruz managed to mash in the middle of the Twins lineup as if he was still in his mid-twenties. Throughout his first two seasons with the Twins, he has a .308 batting average with 57 homers and 141 RBIs in 735 plate appearances. Looking forward to this free agent season, the slugger will be looking either for a new 2 year deal either from Minnesota, or elsewhere from another contending team that has a DH slot available. It is still up in the air on whether or not there will be a DH in the National League next year, but for the sake of Cruz and other older sluggers, the status of the DH could make their services more valuable to the other half of the league. There are reports that Cruz will be waiting to make his free agency decision until after this universal DH decision is made.
So this begs the question, where will Cruz land for next season? Here are the top 5 teams that could sign Cruz, and why they should:
- Minnesota Twins
Re-signing Cruz is a priority for the Twins. Not only does he make his presence felt in the lineup, but also in the clubhouse. He is a great guy to have around, loves the game, and is a mentor to younger players like Miguel Sano. Also, as I stated earlier, he crushes the baseball in Minnesota. It seems like he would like to remain in Minnesota, as he has already begun contract discussions with them, according to Lavelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey expressed his feelings on Cruz after being asked about a potential reunion back on the first of October: “The feeling is mutual. We don’t feel any differently than Nellie does. We see a fit from here, and we’re hopeful that can work out.”
Losing a guy like Cruz would definitely set the Twins back a step for 2021, and the fans, front office, and Cruz all love the thought of a potential reunion. A two year deal here seems the most likely outcome with a retirement soon to follow.
2. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have the best player of this generation, and possibly one of the top 10 greatest players of all time. Mike Trout’s Angels have only made the playoffs once in his ten year tenure with LA. To this point, and I hate to say it, the Angels are still wasting Trout’s prime. They need to turn it around, and adding Cruz could go a long way in doing that. Key addition Anthony Rendon from last offseason, 2020 breakout star David Fletcher, and hopeful 2021 All Star Shohei Ohtani should place the Angels in contention for the AL West, or a possible AL Wild Card spot in 2021. However, the Angels and their fans are tired of having “potential” and would rather prefer results.
They could place a possible 40 plus homers in the middle of their lineup upon signing Cruz. Doing so would be huge for this team both offensively and it would give the problematic pitching staff some breathing room. Also, adding a 16 year vet to the team would do wonders in the development of youngsters Ohtani, top prospect Jo Adell, and anyone else brought up throughout his time here.
If LA signs Nelson Cruz and another arm or two I would instantly pencil them into an AL Wild Card spot.
3. Atlanta Braves
Atlanta was one game away from making it to the World Series in 2020. Assuming that the universal DH is implemented in the National League going forward, adding a slugger like Cruz would be huge for the lineup. In 2020, the Braves used breakout star Marcell Ozuna as their DH, but depending on what he does in free agency (and again, if they even have a DH spot available in the NL) the Boomstick would fit in extremely well.
Ideally, the Braves would re-sign Ozuna, move him out to left, and plug Cruz and his potential 40 plus homeruns right in the middle of that star-studded lineup along with 2020 MVP Freddie Freeman, Acuna, Albies, Riley, D’Arnaud, and much more. Add in a healthy Mike Soroka, and that sounds like a World Series squad.
4. New York Yankees
This is a classic Yankees move. The Yankees have the money, and have never been shy of adding more power bats. Due to reoccurring injuries to top-tier power hitters in Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, adding a more consistent guy to the lineup like Cruz could add some needed stability to the roster. Also, just imagine that potential lineup if everyone was healthy and Cruz was there. Scary. New York will be making a run at top available players like Francisco Lindor and are hoping to re-sign all-star second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, so a potential Cruz deal seems unlikely at the moment. But, there’s a not-so-crazy scenario where Cruz is available late in the offseason and the Yanks strikeout in free agency while being unable to mold the roster they want. This would be a win-now move for Cruz and the Yanks.
5. Texas Rangers
Although pretty unlikely, a potential reunion of Cruz and the Rangers could be just how the 16 year vet wants to finish his career. Texas is where the slugger made his name in this league, and Cruz may be ready to return home. With a 22-38 record in 2020, the Rangers aren’t exactly viewed as contenders looking ahead to next season, but I guess you never know. Cruz could be a great piece in the future development of this team and would be a much needed help to the lineup, which projects to be negative WAR (if you withhold Joey Gallo). A homecoming could rejuvenate the team and its fan base, and could possibly keep them relatively competitive in a tough American League.
-Alex Wolfe
