BREAKING: Twins Agree with DH Nelson Cruz on One-Year Deal

[John Bonnes]

After an offseason of glacial negotiations that were described at one point as a 'staring contest,' the Twins and Nelson Cruz finally got it done on Tuesday night. Dan Hayes reports that Minnesota has reached agreement with the 40-year-old DH on a one-year, $13 million contract.The Athletic's intrepid beat man Dan Hayes was all over this one, reporting over the weekend that the Twins and Cruz had re-engaged after a period of inactivity.

 

"While the latest development doesn’t guarantee anything gets completed," Hayes wrote, "the move to reconnect demonstrates that the Twins and Cruz understand the need for urgency in determining whether a new agreement can be reached."

 

Just a few days later, it's a done deal. The Twins waited out Cruz and basically got him on the terms they wanted: a one-year pact at a reasonable salary that still gives them flexibility for further additions.

 

Of course, there's no overstating how important Cruz has been to the Twins over these past two seasons. He was chosen as the team's Most Valuable Player in both 2019 and 2020, slashing .308/.394/.626 with 57 home runs and 141 RBIs in 173 games. During that span, he has ranked second among all MLB hitters in wOBA, wRC+, and OPS, trailing only Mike Trout in each category.

 

Needless to say, the Twins' lineup card looks a whole lot better with the elite slugger penciled in. And his immensely positive impact goes beyond the bat – Cruz is lauded as a key figure in the clubhouse and community. Last summer he received the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in recognition of his amazing charitable work and generosity.

 

That is not to say this signing isn't without risk. Cruz's $13 million salary commitment will likely limit what the Twins can do to address their remaining needs in the rotation and bullpen. He's the primest of prime regression candidates, set to turn 41 in July and having shown signs of wear down the stretch in 2020. Additionally, his inability to play anywhere other than DH (and the need to have him out there as much as possible) will be a constraint for Rocco Baldelli to deal with as he tries to keep his other regulars fresh, and utility man Luis Arráez in the lineup.

 

But at the end of the day, the cons are outweighed by the pros for this seasoned and highly respected slugger. Even if he's not quite as good as he has been the past two years, Cruz can easily be one of the league's most imposing hitters and a big asset in the heart of the lineup.

 

As Minnesota's unquestioned leader, Cruz has helped power the Twins to a .617 winning percentage and back-to-back division titles, but not one victory in the postseason. Now he'll get a chance to settle some unfinished business, with a reconfigured roster that will still feel plenty familiar thanks to his presence.

 

Having finally resolved their biggest offseason sticking point, the Twins can feel pretty good about the state of their lineup. While they may still add another outfielder or infield depth, and trades cannot be ruled out, the offense is looking fairly set. Now, attention turns to the pitching staff. The effective payroll stands at around $125 million with Cruz's addition.

 

Check back into Twins Daily for more details and analysis of this big signing, and share your initial reactions in the comments below.

 

Nelly's back. Let's go.

 

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[operation mindcrime]

Fantastic news! Now let's get Ozuna and some more pitching!!!!!

[psturnbloom]

Fantastic news! Now let's get Ozuna and some more pitching!!!!!

 

Highly unlikely we’d go for another big bat when our remaining payroll is probably peanuts. I could see them shelling out maybe a few more million for another arm but not more than that. I’d love to be wrong.

[John Bonnes]

The big question now is how much more they add. Cruz (assuming no big regression) plus Simmons means a step forward for this team. They're a plus team in every department now. 

[jud6312]

The bullpen is a plus department? I think that might be a bit of a stretch.

[Danchat]

Good move. With what money they've got left, I'd like to see another reliever or two added since I don't love our current bullpen (Clippard & Soria/Colome?). As for a starting pitcher, I think they're looking at a minor league deal with a guy like Foltynewicz.

[Monkeypaws]

Bout time. Cruz gives the whole lineup a little swagger. Hope to see him wear that robe again.

[Mike Sixel]

Cool beans

[High heat]

Hopefully there is a little $ left for a reliever!

[Brandon]

looks like Clippard or Kintzler for a bullpen role.  is Rosenthal even a possibility? And that should wrap up the offseason.  I am glad to have Cruz back for at least one more season.  Its fun when we can see how great our team should be this year.

 

[Lasorda_This_Out]

3-2-1...Blastoff!

 

Go

  Twins!!!

[Lasorda_This_Out]

 

The big question now is how much more they add. Cruz (assuming no big regression) plus Simmons means a step forward for this team. They're a plus team in every department now. 

 

[Lasorda_This_Out]

John..I'd go further and say with a few more external moves (SP/RP?)...the 2021

Minnesota Twins are looking downright dangerous? Seriously dangerous to the American League...

[Dantes929]

One year deal at a pretty hefty price but I am always ok with that for our own guy.   In this case Cruz has pretty much already earned it by outperforming my expectations in prior years so kind of playing with banked money.   Glad it wasn't for two years.   I hope he has a monster year and they do the same next year.    

[GNess]

Great to have Nelson for another season. Agree - pitching move(s) needs to be made. The FO will find a way and resources to add either a SP or bullpen arm or two before Opening Day. 

[puckstopper1]

As it stands now, on paper, offensively Rocco will have plenty of options as to who he pencils into the lineup every game.

 

Where he is going to have issues in having enough quality arms in the BP to call on -  especially with starters going fewer and fewer innings.

 

Thus I hope the FO is not done with their roster tweaks just yet.

[SoCalTwinsfan]

This fills the DH spot and the need for a big bat for the Twins. With Simmons essentially replacing Gonzalez, the only real questions are LF and the utility role vacated by Adrianza. LF could be filled by Kiriloff or a Rooker/Cave platoon if the Twins want to hold off on Kiriloff initially. Do the Twins go with Astudillo for Adrianza's spot or will they let Nick Gordon compete for a utility role? Will LaMonte Wade be competing for a roster spot? My guess is the Twins will sign one more pitcher, most likely a reliever, although they may opt for a starter that will push Dobnak into the bullpen as a long reliever.

[h2oface]

I guess I am one of the only ones that is concerned about this team's offense.

Plus in every department and downright dangerous?

MLB offensive placements in 2020:

15th out of 30 in OPS,

14th in slugging,

20th in OBP,

18th in average,

22nd in walks,

18th in runs scored,

18th in RBI,

20th in hits,

25th in doubles,

last in triples,

last in stolen bases,

and only in Homers at 6th is there something to crow about.

Take NC's stats out of the mix and the most recent season really looks bleak.

 

I hope this offense is as good as eveyone seems to be sure they are.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Great to have Cruz back for another season, even though expectations for his output need to be tempered a bit.

 

That should leave just enough money in the budget for the Bauer signing.

[beckmt]

Good to have him back.  Still need one more tough starter or reliever.  Out on Odo, (don't need a 3 year deal starter), but either Paxton or Walker on a one year deal for 8 - 10 million is fine for me.  Don't see a reliever out there outside of Rosenthal who could move the needle, but feel they need someone on the upper end to help.  Relievers tend to be year to year types, so am Ok with one year deals.  Just need a better reliever than just another arm.

[Doctor Gast]

So happy to get this out of the way. Welcome back boomstick!

Now we know where we stand, let's go out and sew this up

[umterp23]

Let's hope the boomstick doesn't turn into a doom-cane.  While I like Cruz from past two years, concerned Father Time will come on quickly come late July.  While yes DH, requires less stress on the body than an everyday position player, you can't turn back the clock on an aging slugger.  Let's hope it is different for at least one more year for Cruz. 

[Nine of twelve]

Well, the deed is done. I'm skeptical but I hope as much as anyone on this board that he has another great season. And I'm sure his last appearance in a Twins uniform will be this year.

[bighat]

Well, if the Twins weren't going to sign anyone else, then this was the move to make. And they made it. Therefore, it was a good move IMO.

 

Let's see if Nelson has one more awesome year left.

[HrbieFan]

Great off season again for Falvey. Hoping for one more proven RP arm and some White Sox season long injuries

[jmlease1]

Really happy to have Cruz back for another run. It's a reasonable deal for both sides and one year limits the risk. It's a good bridge so the Twins don't have to count on too many rookies too fast, but doesn't block young hitters from getting the opportunities they'll need for too long. Cruz is a leader on the team and it'll be good to have him back.

 

Will he regress? Probably a little, but I suspect they'll do a good job in keeping him rested and ready and it's just great to have a feared bat like that in the heart of the order.

 

The lineup looks strong, with plenty of depth. Injuries will end up being the key for them like it is for so many teams: if Buxton and Donaldson and the middle infielders stay relatively healthy and are in a groove come playoffs...I expect the Twins to be in them.

 

I think we'll see the team sign one more veteran RHP reliever for depth (probably in the $2-3M range) and a veteran reclamation project to compete for the 5th starter. Get that done and I feel pretty good about the off-season. (But I'm also a huge proponent of adding Andrelton Simmons)

[mikelink45]

The team has really done well this off-season.  I hope he continues to defy time - if Franco can go to 48, maybe Cruz can do 45! 

 

Now finish the BP.

[Dman]

I am happy with that deal.  It is right in the ballpark or what I hoped they could get him for.  I presume this will be the last year we have him as they will likely open the DH for the NL next year and we might get priced out or he falls off a cliff and nobody wants him.

 

I am not too worried if Cruz gets hurt as the Twins have a decent backup plan of rotating guys through the DH spot so this is pretty much a win, win IMO.

 

I am a little worried about starting pitching as there will be injuries but I guess the Twins feel OK with the Thorpe\Smeltzer combo if too many guys go down.  Here is hoping for another move or two to help with pitching.

[KFEY93]

 

John..I'd go further and say with a few more external moves (SP/RP?)...the 2021

Minnesota Twins are looking downright dangerous? Seriously dangerous to the American League...

White Sox win the division, bank it. 

[saviking]

If the National League adopts the designated hitter rule for 2022 the one year deal actually benefits Cruz. I'm wondering if your 125 million includes the easily makeable Maeda bonus? I hope so ..