If you wonder if Nelson Cruz is one of a kind you have to go back to the Twins 1987 and a man named Don Baylor. Here is a video clip to remind you of his power and importance from that world series. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3461288973914917

At his death the Pioneer Press had this to say, "Don Baylor’s 27 games with the Minnesota Twins were by far his shortest stint with any team, but they were a big 20 games, for the Twins and for the longtime major league slugger.

“It was the best time I ever had in the game, playing with these guys right here,” Baylor told the Pioneer Press during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Twins’ first world championship in 2007."

Baseball Hot Corner wrote, "Baylor was clearly on the downside of his career, but was one of the more respected veterans in the game. In addition, he finished 13th in the American League MVP voting in 1986, so he still had some production left in his 38-year-old bat." And does this next quote sound familiar - no it is not Nelson, but Don, "Nolan Ryan spoke about Baylor being like a manager when he was a player and was someone everyone knew would be a manager when his career was over. The importance of his presence in the locker room for Kelly and the players in 1987 could not be overstated."

The next year he left for the Oakland A's and ended his career batting 220. Yes aging happens fast.

He had an OPS of only 703 in those 20 games and no HR - that is until the WS! His WS OPS was 1.082.

Nelson has had a longer and more productive stint with the Twins and showed the same ability to step up in the post season (perhaps the only batter that really did) and now he is also at a potential turning point as the Twins look at this contract and his age. No I would not give him two years. But it is worth another season - even though it really is costly at this point in MLB finances. Nelson has an OPS of 1.020 over two seasons and that is amazing.

Baylor went on to manage - I suspect Nelson could do that too - if he wants to. Of courses stars make enough today that very few want the headaches and the reduction in pay that managing comes with. I might add that the Twins might have lost out on the best of Ortiz, but we have a rich history of aging stars being our DH - Molitor and Winfield are additional examples. With DH in both leagues maybe it will be more difficult in the future.