Free Agent Market May Push Twins Away From Nelson Cruz

[Cody Christie]

There’s no question that Nelson Cruz has been the heart and soul of the Twins line-up over the last two seasons, but the team doesn’t want to be left out to dry. Spring training is scheduled to start later this month and the remaining free agents are going to continue to come off the board. Minnesota may be forced to move on from Cruz.There is no salary cap in baseball, but many teams have a self-imposed limit this winter for a variety of reasons. Revenues were limited in a pandemic shortened 2020 campaign and there are still plenty of questions about how much those revenues will improve in 2021. Minnesota’s current payroll sits around $110-113 million with the team anticipated to spend around $125 million. This leaves room for one more big signing or a pair of smaller additions.

 

Many early reports had Cruz asking for a two-year contract and when looking at his last two seasons, that might seem like a no-brainer. Since joining the Twins, he has hit .308/.394/.626 with 57 home runs and 32 doubles in 173 games. However, his increasing age continues to be the elephant in the room. He turned 40-years-old last July, and he will be 41 about halfway through the 2021 campaign. Does any team want to have significant money tied to a 42-year-old DH?

 

With their remaining payroll, the Twins can go in a few different directions to help the 2021 squad. Many of the players listed below will sign in the coming weeks and Minnesota doesn’t want to be left with money on the table.

 

Adding to the rotation seems like an intriguing option for the Twins and signing Cruz likely means the Twins would enter 2021 with their current rotation. Trevor Bauer won’t exactly fit into the team’s self-imposed payroll restrictions, but names like James Paxton, Jake Odorizzi, and Taijuan Walker are still available. Any of these options can fit into the middle of Minnesota’s rotation and be relied on for starts in the postseason.

 

For designated hitter, the top name left on the market is Marcell Ozuna, who is a decade younger than Cruz. He is coming off a tremendous season with the Braves, but he would likely come with a longer commitment and higher salary than Cruz. Minnesota might not want to invest long-term at DH with many of the team’s top prospects projected to be corner outfielders or first base types (Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Brent Rooker, etc.)

 

Adding to the bullpen is also an option, but it remains to be seen if the Twins would consider spending money on relievers when the current regime has found luck in cheap options that turn into valuable assets. Alex Colome and Trevor Rosenthal are the two biggest names available and the Twins might be able to add both players with their remaining payroll flexibility.

 

It still seems likely for Cruz to wind up back in a Twins uniform, especially with no decision yet made about the DH in the National League. However, time is ticking away, and Minnesota might not want to hold out much longer.

 

Will the Twins be forced to move on from Cruz? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[4twinsJA]

I think Twins FO is quietly hoping for universal DH so can get outbid for Cruz and diplomatically not sign him. I like Cruz for a one year contract, but want another SP in the range mentioned above, and another relief pitcher. Can't have too many pitchers, don't know if Twins have pitchers MLB ready in minors.

[Dman]

I think those are good points we definitely could get priced out on Cruz. I don't think the FO wants to spend much more than they have in the past for Cruz.  Cruz isn't getting younger so I can see why he wants a two year deal.  It was a two year deal that brought him to the Twins granted one was an option year.

 

Not sure what the bidding for Odo is but I find it doubtful that they would bring him back on a three year deal.  He always has trouble the third time through the order and last year was injured and he isn't exactly young for a pitcher either.  I think they get priced out there as well.

 

Ozuna just doesn't make sense given all the slow plodding hitters the Twins have currently and stacked in the system.

 

I don't see them going bullpen unless it is a lower priced one year deal as they have Colina and Chalmers pretty much ready to go and they I think they need to keep Gibaut and Waddell on the 40 man as well so they have options.  Ober would likely be used in relief as well so I don't see them being too worried when it comes to relief.

 

Paxton and Walker seem like possibilities if they come with one year deals.  Next year Twins might need to bring up Canterino, Duran and Balazovic so might need a spot or two next year anyway.  Also they could pitch in relief for the big club if absolutely needed.

 

With the exception of Cruz I think it is bargain time or they are done.  They will roll with what they have.

[IAMNFan]

Signing Cruz seems somewhat insane.  Hasn't put them over the hump the last 2 years, keeps them from signing pitching, he's old and will decline rapidly & they have at least 3 young guys that would fit his role very nicely with maybe not the proven performance, but potentially very good performance.  1 man don't make a baseball team.

[Brandon]

We could sign Cruz then make a low cost offer on Archer and sign a reliever like Kintzler or Clippard on the cheap

[mikelink45]

I want the position open for the young guys - Ozuna has not had a stellar career and I do not want us to invest in a one year career year when we have good options in Larnach, Rooker, Sano (Kiriloff should be in LF) and whoever is not catching. 

[twinkiesfan11]

At this point as much as Nelson Cruz has been beloved by teammates, the front office and fans it just doesn't feel like a great fit anymore. He's been a stud the past two years and is entitled to expect one final big pay day but I couldn't fault the Twins either for drawing a line at one year at $12 million (totally speculating) for a 41 year old bat only player.

 

I'm admittedly developing too much of a crush over his 2017 and 2020 outlier seasons but to me Marcell Ozuna just feels like a slam dunk fit and I wouldn't hesitate to give him a 3 or 4 year contract. He's over 10 years younger than Cruz, still capable of playing some LF and holy hell his statcast numbers are sexy.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/marcell-ozuna-542303?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb

[Twinsrtheworst]

.IF we have to choose. I Choose pitching. Im a huge Cruz fan, but if we are on a budget...we NEED another mid-level starting pitching depth. I honestly think the Twins can and should afford Cruz, another starter and 2 decent relievers. Cant understand why our payroll shouldn't be at least equal to last years. Are we trying to win the ws or make money. I just feel like so many mentions of us having the aprox 125 million limited payroll shouldn't be acceptable. But to each his own as they say.

[Twinsrtheworst]

I just believe many of us are setting our sights to low. I believe the Twins will sign Cruz And another starter And another reliever.

[IndianaTwin]

To Cody or others -- have there been any actual statements from the front office that lead us to the $125M that people keep quoting? Or is just a guess that people have speculated on, based on the notion that teams will spend less this year?

 

I've asked this on a thread or two, but haven't had anyone respond.

[Twinsrtheworst]

I just believe many of us are setting our sights to low. I believe the Twins will sign Cruz And another starter And another reliever.

[Darius]

I tend to agree with some of the sentiments above. If he doesn’t want to come back in a manner that helps the team make a run this year, move on.

 

Great player, but what has he gotten the Twins thus far? A nice stat line, a bunch of meaningless regular season wins, and another string of embarrassing playoff choke jobs.

 

You have to take a different approach at some point. Definition of insanity, etc. And now, the White Sox are leaving us in their dust trail.

 

At the end of the day, everyone likes to rip on the Ryan regime. But they were able to do something this regime hasn’t....win a playoff series (even a playoff game). The sample size is starting to grow, here. You only get a free pass for so long.

 

Frankly, I couldnt care less about sentimental, every loves Cruz, narratives. Either make some moves to get this thing over the hump or blow it up.

[Doctor Gast]

IMO Ozuna isn't an option. Don't you think that he's waiting to see if there's an universal DH too. If we can't afford Cruz we surely can't afford Ozuna if it's official.

[ashbury]

IMO Ozuna isn't an option. Don't you think that he's waiting to see if there's an universal DH too. If we can't afford Cruz we surely can't afford Ozuna if it's official.

Concur. Moreover look at Ozuna's track record and compare it to Cruz's track record before he joined the Twins - I have this feeling that we'd be paying top dollar and getting essentially the equivalent of Eddie Rosario for it at least some of the time, if we signed Marcell to a multi-year deal.

 

[theJemmer]

First - it's unforgiveable that MLB still hasn't stated definitively whether the DH will exist in both leagues this year. 

Second - if it goes as expected, DH only in the AL, it doesn't seem like there are other serious suitors for Cruz. I'd like to see the Twins have the 2nd year as a team option. Yes he's been great - but there were plenty of times last year where it looked like guys were starting to throw fastballs by him. 

And then sign him as hitting coach when his playing days are behind him.

[Out State Twin]

The Twins made 3 offers to Cruz since October, it's time to move on maybe Ozuna would be a better fit as you can not force a horse to drink.

[High heat]

I’m a 1 year 8 million with a mutual option for year 2. Maybe you add a buy out for a million of 2 for year 2.

 

I’m ok walking away as long as it’s soon enough to bring in a starter like the big maple

[Linus]

They just signed him so there is that.