That's kind of my point. Anybody who is under 35 is asking for deals that will end up being a bigger burden. If they give Cruz a 2 year deal and he's below league avg that year, they only eat salary and a roster spot for half a year or so. And even if he's Jose Offerman at that point, he's still a useful piece on the bench for a late inning BB or HR. Or, if they're not in contention, they trade him to a contender for a bag of balls.
I wouldn't sign any player to more than 2 years just to DH.
I think the Twins will overpay what Cruz is worth on year 2, but they also significantly underpaid the past 2 years. That's how the market works.
To some degree the market is shifting. We've seen it the last few years as franchises get a little bit smarter and smarter and look at data. Some scream collusion, but I see FO's just recognizing cost vs production and pulling up the reigns and just saying "whoa".
Of course, there will always be certain teams in certain markets that are willing to live with $ value losses in last years of contracts vs gain the early years. Not everyone can afford to do that. Few in fact.
Of course, everything from arbitration, service time, etc, is going to change in the next CB.
But for NOW, as far as the Twins are concerned, the dilemma is what Cruz is worth post 2020 amidst a covid situation and 2021 speculation.
Brock broke things down very succinctly in an earlier post, as Gleeman and John have also done previously. But Cruz is is in that unique and rare category. You can accept a super strong first 30 days in 2020 and a not so great last 30 days plus age and say no way. Of course, he was also the only hitter to produce in the embarrassing playoff loss.
Repeating myself yet again, 2020 was a "mixed up" year for a lot of guys. I want to use a word beginning with "F" because that's how crazy it was. I believe Cruz HAS ONE MORE good season in him. Based on history and reality, he may have an decent to good 2nd season available. Do the Twins bank on history or Cruz?
One more time again, an honest 1yr deal. A buyout for a 2nd year, if necessary.
