Article: BREAKING: Nelson Cruz Agrees To Deal With Twins

[jtkoupal]

Thank the lord. The Twins needed this. Now let's get some help down in the pen

[darin617]

 

Cruz was my #2 pick for this team (after Machado) and really glad we got him. He's an absolutely perfect fit both for the lineup and for the locker room. His RH power should play up at TF (he's crushed the ball at TF, with a career .667 slg, second best park for him of any park he's played 10 games or more in).

 

Not sure if know this or not Twins pitchers can no longer pitch to him. So we shall see if he can actually still "crush the ball at TF

 

 

[darin617]

 

Are you kidding me? This was a horrible signing. 14 million for a rental? Does anyone really think the Twins will compete now because we signed a declining 37 year old?

We needed pitching not some rental player.

 

 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

Now go get Andujar from New York.

 

Would Andújar push out whichever of Austin or Cron doesn't lose a roster spot to Cruz? He comes with probably even more speculation that he has to move off 3B than Sanó does.

[Ebby Calvin Laloosh]

Boy, the FO sure blew it on this one... switching from Grossman to Cruz at DH. How are we gonna make up the 15 points of OPB we lost? Sure we picked up 125 points of SLG, but where is the OBP coming from? 32 extra HR sounds nice, but who's gonna be on base?

[mlhouse]

Why this team "builds" to be a 81 win team is beyond me.   

 

Here are the facts:

 

1.  We don't have "needs" unless "needs" means adding talent at just about every roster spot.

 

2.  One year "rentals" are for teams that are competitive but need a short term value to maintain or increase their competitiveness.  The Twins are a rebuilding team, not a competitive team and this move really does not move the needle much.

 

3.  Signing a 37 year old designated hitter means that the limited defensive flexibility of this team has just gotten more limited.  Where does Cron play?  Sano?  Austin?  Rooker?  Garver?  (I am not even going to address adding another right handed hitter to the mix).

 

Nelson Cruz is a very good hitter, no doubt.  Over the past 4 seasons he has hit 163 home runs for the Mariners.   Over those 4 seasons the Mariners have won an average of 82 games with arguably much better talent.

 

Lets say that Cruz, and even Cron have good years.  The team wins 84 games each of the next seasons.  Then what?   Because everyone on our roster is now 30+ years old we have to bring in the young prospects with absolutely no experience and rebuild again?  Is it really worth it?

[jkcarew]

Can't think of one reason not to make this type of signing with this type of player, given where the Twins are. But...

 

how is it that a potentially needle-moving free agent (and agent) chose the Twins rather than the Astros, etc.??...what with all the history of low-balling and vile treatment of players coming out of this FO. Weird.

[darin617]

This "could" be a great signing if the 1st thing Nelson Cruz does is have a very long sit down with Sano and gets him right.

 

Maybe this could be the last chance to save Sano from himself.

[RedBull34]

 

Can't think of one reason not to make this type of signing with this type of player, given where the Twins are. But...

 

how is it that a potentially needle-moving free agent (and agent) chose the Twins rather than the Astros, etc.??...what with all the history of low-balling and vile treatment of players coming out of this FO. Weird.

Strong words, but low-balling has no impact here because he got his contract, and as for the vile treatment of players, I think you are really overselling the impact of keeping Buxton down last year on Cruz's decision making.

 

Edit: And we have no idea what price point other teams were at.  Cruz probably took the most $$$, which means that they would be the low-ballers, and not the Twins.

Edited December 27, 2018 by RedBull34

[Monkeypaws]

For fans of round numbers, Cruz is 40 homers away from 400 for his career.

[jorgenswest]

Nice to have Cruz.

 

It seems important to some that the Twins either be in a rebuilding box or a contending box. I think he fits in either box. Rebuilding teams benefit from veteran leaders. Contending teams benefit from good hitters.

 

He certainly fits in my box. I really enjoy the game of baseball and will be following almost every game. He is likely to make several of those 162 more enjoyable.

 

Now let’s go get a few relievers.

[jkcarew]

 

Strong words, but low-balling has no impact here because he got his contract, and as for the vile treatment of players, I think you are really overselling the impact of keeping Buxton down last year on Cruz's decision making.

 

Edit: And we have no idea what price point other teams were at.  Cruz probably took the most $$$, which means that they would be the low-ballers, and not the Twins.

It was tongue-in-cheek. I'm not one that gnashes teeth over potential lasting impact of business decisions...even those I disagree with.

[RedBull34]

 

It was tongue-in-cheek. I'm not one that gnashes teeth over potential lasting impact of business decisions...even those I disagree with.

Fooled me!

[jmlease1]

 

Why this team "builds" to be a 81 win team is beyond me.   

 

Here are the facts:

 

1.  We don't have "needs" unless "needs" means adding talent at just about every roster spot.

 

2.  One year "rentals" are for teams that are competitive but need a short term value to maintain or increase their competitiveness.  The Twins are a rebuilding team, not a competitive team and this move really does not move the needle much.

 

3.  Signing a 37 year old designated hitter means that the limited defensive flexibility of this team has just gotten more limited.  Where does Cron play?  Sano?  Austin?  Rooker?  Garver?  (I am not even going to address adding another right handed hitter to the mix).

 

Nelson Cruz is a very good hitter, no doubt.  Over the past 4 seasons he has hit 163 home runs for the Mariners.   Over those 4 seasons the Mariners have won an average of 82 games with arguably much better talent.

 

Lets say that Cruz, and even Cron have good years.  The team wins 84 games each of the next seasons.  Then what?   Because everyone on our roster is now 30+ years old we have to bring in the young prospects with absolutely no experience and rebuild again?  Is it really worth it?

Responding in order:

1. I don't know what this means. Yes, there's room for improvement for just about every position, but the team undoubtedly had a need to fill some positions.

 

2. First, if there's a team option (as rumored) then it's not a 1 year rental. But when you're a team that has talent coming up out of the minors the short-term deals can position you well and give you flexibility. Plus they're easy to deal. The Twins didn't get enough out of the DH last year and this is a significant upgrade. Cruz adds power and patience, both are nice improvements. Morrison & Grossman got most of the time at DH last season: you can't possibly be suggesting that Cruz isn't a significant upgrade over the 2018 versions of those guys.

 

3. Cron is going to start at 1B. Austin is probably gone, and frankly it's not all that great of a loss. Sano plays 3B. Garver backs up C and fills in a little as needed in the OF, 1B, and DH as needed (and may start at C quite a bit), assuming he's ok after the concussion. Rooker hasn't taken an AB above AA; he's probably a Sept callup in 2019 unless he absolutely kills it with the bat and pushes an underperforming OF out or Cron away from 1B. and if that happens, ok. you can eat Cron contract if he sucks, or deal him if he's good but you want to open up a space for Rooker (Kepler too). There's no real problem here in the short-term for spots, unless you're convinced that Tyler Austin is this wonderful gem that we can't bear to lose. Me, I'm not sold on him. I'd rather have Cruz & Cron.

 

I'm confused with the idea that our roster is suddenly going to be old in 2 years. Most of the lineup we're talking about will still be in their 20's (Polanco, Rosario, Buxton, Sano, Kepler...heck even Schoop & Garver.) And we're expecting some prospects to keep pushing in to keep the roster balanced.

 

I like the signing and advocated for it even after signing Cron. I'm not sold on Austin at all I think he's big power and little else. Cruz has been a great hitter, a dangerous power bat who makes the other hitters in the lineup better. I love that we got him at this price, and hope that we really do have a team option on a 2nd year.

[h2oface]

Cruz better f-ing hit. Because there isn't anything else he can do. Maybe this isn't the year that he starts not hitting. But it is coming. And soon. Maybe next year, and we get another year of hitting. But when it happens, it sure happens quick, and management always seems so slow to respond. At least the FO signed someone that is currently hitting, instead of yet another short contract that is not hitting, and comes to the Twins from a horrible year.

 

But betting on Cruz, now, and a bounce back from Sano and Buxton, (with Buxton it is really the first bounce that makes a complete year...), and Schoop and Cron and Pineda and Odorizzi and Reed, a first lasting bounce from Kepler, no regression from Rosario and Polanco and Gibson and Berrios, and a complete mystery waiting to unfold behind the plate......... is where we are at. Oh, and the pen.... I don't really like to think about the bullpen anymore. And they all could have a career year!   

[markominne]

1) This board cracks me up! All year we’ve had people criticizing management for building for the future with young guys; they sign Cruz and now they’re overspending on a proven veteran! There is no question that this strengthens the lineup; a lineup that inarguably under-achieved last year.

2) The Tyler Austin/CJ Cron decision doesn’t bother me at all - with the depth in the minor leagues, I could see either one being a one-year (or partial year) hole-filler.

3) I would argue that starting pitching is not a priority: could it be improved? Yes, but what team’s rotation couldn’t? I’d say Falvine should be aware for opportunities, but shouldn’t go overboard.

4) Finally, if I were in charge of spending the Pohlad’s money, I’d go after David Robertson for the bullpen, and ping the Marlins on JT Realmuto now that the catching market seems to be settling down.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Is this the highest AAV free agent contract the Twins have ever handed out?

[Squirrel]

Reading that piece, I can’t help but immediately think of the positives effect he is going to have on Sano and Buxton. Just off the top of my head, he’s Dominican, has an incredible work ethic, positive attitude, a very impressive career, a conscientious eating regimen, and tee / hitting drills that specifically work on hitting sliders and power to all fields.

Those are just added perks to the signing.

[MABB1959]

How exciting!!!!!   I think there is still a lot of money to spend.  I looked at Spotrak and we down at 27th in payroll.   Like really really low.   Addison Reed is our highest paid player.      I think Cruz may sell a few jersey's and get people to buy tickets so that makes even   more money to spend. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

Ervin got $13.5mm per year, Nolasco 12mm, so this is in fact the most the Twins have paid a free agent on an annual basis.

[MABB1959]

It is like Christmas for the first time in at least 5 years.    I was excited to get E Santana and still wish we had him.  

[notoriousgod71]

Boomstick!

 

For the record I don't think Cruz will be blocking anyone that we actually would want to see more ABs from.

 

I don't actually expect him to be around past July but at least he is a legitimate player that teams may actually want to trade for come the deadline.

[Doomtints]

This is the signing that most people around here wanted, so I hope it works out.

 

Signing old guys was in Terry Ryan's wheelhouse, so I'm skeptical. I would like to be proven wrong.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Over 100 is a really optimistic estimate. Cron hit 30 last year but 16 was his previous high. Schoop hit 21 in a down year last year but most of his career was at Camden Yards, which from 2010-2016 produced 122 Homeruns for every 100 homeruns at an average park. Cruz's homerun total has declined for three consecutive seasons.

 

Baseball-reference projects the 3 to combine for 74 homeruns. Cruz 31, Cron 22, Schoop 21. Steamer is a little better at 83. Cruz 35, Cron 24, Schoop 24.

 

Good pickups though. I like that 2020 is an option year for Cruz.

still 74 homers is what 68 net increase? Huge

[tarheeltwinsfan]

This has potential to be a HUGE signing. Congratulations to all involved.

[Battle ur tail off]

 

Why this team "builds" to be a 81 win team is beyond me.   

 

Here are the facts:

 

1.  We don't have "needs" unless "needs" means adding talent at just about every roster spot.

 

2.  One year "rentals" are for teams that are competitive but need a short term value to maintain or increase their competitiveness.  The Twins are a rebuilding team, not a competitive team and this move really does not move the needle much.

 

3.  Signing a 37 year old designated hitter means that the limited defensive flexibility of this team has just gotten more limited.  Where does Cron play?  Sano?  Austin?  Rooker?  Garver?  (I am not even going to address adding another right handed hitter to the mix).

 

Nelson Cruz is a very good hitter, no doubt.  Over the past 4 seasons he has hit 163 home runs for the Mariners.   Over those 4 seasons the Mariners have won an average of 82 games with arguably much better talent.

 

Lets say that Cruz, and even Cron have good years.  The team wins 84 games each of the next seasons.  Then what?   Because everyone on our roster is now 30+ years old we have to bring in the young prospects with absolutely no experience and rebuild again?  Is it really worth it?

 

This doesn't move the needle much? You are going to take a guy out of the lineup that OPS runs in the .650-.700 range and replace it with a guy that is in that .800-900 range and is also a patient, professional hitter with tons of pop. This moves the needle a pile. 

 

That list you named. It's Sano. That's it. The rest of them are nothing and bench players on a good team. If they get little to no playing time because of this signing, that's a good thing, not a bad one. 

 

Adding high end talent, however you can get it is never a bad thing. 

 

To your last point, let's say they do have a couple seasons like that. Fine, it's at least competitive baseball. Who says you have to go full rebuild in 2 years? Will Sano, Buxton, Rosario, Berrios, etc etc not be right in the middle of their primes then? Still controllable also. 

 

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

This signing tells the other Twins players, coaches and staff that the Twins are in this to win in 2019. I like that attitude. PLAY BALL!

[Brandon]

I doubt that Cruz's power will dip much if any next year.  I can see his average dipping some if he looses speed as he ages.  But I suspect he would still have over an .800 OPS with a .220 / .320/ .480 as a worst case scenario.  but more likely a .270 / .360 / .520.

 

I mean I still expect he can get to or close to 35 HRs.  just will it come with 15 2bs and a low average.  

[Mike Sixel]

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-twins-have-cornered-the-dh-market/

[Mike Sixel]

Btw.... Once again we see money is more important than going to a more certain playoff team....