Can the Twins (realistically) make a trade for Nelson Cruz?

[wsnydes]

I don't think a move like this makes any sense from the Twins perspective.  Injuries have helped the shuffle, but trying to get guys ABs isn't an easy proposition as it is.  With all of the corner type players on the active roster, there's only so many places that they can play.  And those are their primary DH candidates.  So, adding one more that doesn't field at all only makes the problem worse.  

And as erratic as this offense is, hitting isn't going to be my primary focus.  Pitching has to take priority.  If some of those corner types get dealt in order to acquire pitching, then maybe this makes some sense.  But as the roster stands now, not so much.

[TheLeviathan]

The Twins do need a bat, but not a DH-only one.

[Byrdman]

Only trade rumors I want to see is Bullpen Arms.  If we don't get 3-4 reliable bullpen arms we wont even make the playoffs.  Cruz is done and absolutely no need for this team right now.

[saviking]

I'm sorry, but why aren't we talking about shoring up our bullpen. We only have two relievers I have any confidence in and I'll bet everyone can name them. No way we can go into the playoffs with our current bullpen. We should make an all out effort to shore it up, whether it's trading at or before the deadline or converting more starting pitchers like Sands, Balazovic and Canterino. A healthy Alacala would be welcome as well.

My hunch is is it's going to take at least one solid trade for a back end reliever, two of the youngsters and Alacala to return to shore things up. If not, you might as well trade Correa at the deadline.

[Murph]

The LAST addition we need is Nelson Cruz.  WE NEED A BULLPEN. 

I love Nelson Cruz, but hitting is not our problem.  Get a grip!

[notoriousgod71]

31 minutes ago, Murph said:

The LAST addition we need is Nelson Cruz.  WE NEED A BULLPEN. 

I love Nelson Cruz, but hitting is not our problem.  Get a grip!

We should be doing both imo (not necessarily Cruz).

[Dennesey55347]

His clutch hitting, power, and rallying presence would be most welcome. This year's lineup combinations feel like individuals doing their own thing rather than batters feeding off each other (stringing together hits, comebacks, etc) and Nelson could probably add value here. I'd take his consistency/stats/pedigree over any DH we have now. With that said, still have to buy low. This is coming from someone who, for the 1st season in 40 years isn't really excited about Twins baseball.

[Coach Wheels]

23 hours ago, RedneckRay said:

In my opinion, Nelson Cruz had the best years of his career in a Twins jersey. His on field results combined with his clubhouse leadership quickly made him a fan favorite. I have seen some people calling for the Twins to trade for him, so I want to get everyone’s opinions. Would a trade realistically be possible? With the Nationals this year, Cruz started slow but has started to produce more lately, and I’m positive he would produce even more back in Target Field. The only issue is getting ABs for him, or taking ABs away from others. Buxton has gotten a big chunk of the DH ABs so far this year, but the Twins could try to push him more in CF as the year goes on. Sanchez has also gotten DH ABs while Jeffers is catching and has for the most part produced. There’s no doubt we’d all love to see Nelly back in the Twin Cities, but would it make sense?

Unless Cruz suddenly a bullpen guy who can get people out in the 7th-9th inning, he's the last trade we need.

[Otaknam]

Why post an article that is clearly not going to happen? Unless Cruz has become a 97 mph closer since they traded him there are no at bats for him with this team.

[Mike Sixel]

When I saw the headline,  I thought someone resurrected an old thread.  This can't be real.  He's not hitting well at all.  

[bean5302]

11 hours ago, Tim said:

 

2020 exit velo vs Fastballs - (Twins runaway MVP)

 

 

2022 exit velo vs Fastballs 

 

and his #'s vs fastballs overall in 2022

 

 

Hmmm , slow start .. May looks decent.

.545 SLG off fastballs the last 2 months

His statcast numbers would rank #4 overall on the Twins right now.

4 Homers with a .258 / .343 / .452 (.795 OPS) slash over last 25 games.

.313 / .389 / .563 (.951 ops) vs LHP over that duration as well.

It's a rental, were looking at a Sands / Sabato / Enlow type ... If that can upgrade DH from Jeffers, pretty easy no brainer.

What im trying to say, almost all of what you said was just untrue and not remotely valid.

Dig deep enough and get a small enough sample and you can make anybody look good. April happened. It's true. If you look back, there was an April, 2022 in the calendar. Pretending it didn't happen and pretending last year's fall off didn't happen just so you can bolster the case of a player you like doesn't make your actual position more valid. As a side note, Cruz's "June" EV would also be the lowest EV in his career.

Cruz is 100% definitely aging. He is not as good as he was and he's in decline almost across the board over the past several years, actually. 

[bean5302]

17 minutes ago, Dennesey55347 said:

His clutch hitting, power, and rallying presence would be most welcome. This year's lineup combinations feel like individuals doing their own thing rather than batters feeding off each other (stringing together hits, comebacks, etc) and Nelson could probably add value here. I'd take his consistency/stats/pedigree over any DH we have now. With that said, still have to buy low. This is coming from someone who, for the 1st season in 40 years isn't really excited about Twins baseball.

Across Cruz's career, his bat is significantly worse in high leverage situations. I'm not sure what a "rallying presence" is, is that like when he fixed Miguel Sano? LOL

[Tim]

11 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Dig deep enough and get a small enough sample and you can make anybody look good. April happened. It's true. If you look back, there was an April, 2022 in the calendar. Pretending it didn't happen and pretending last year's fall off didn't happen just so you can bolster the case of a player you like doesn't make your actual position more valid. As a side note, Cruz's "June" EV would also be the lowest EV in his career.

Cruz is 100% definitely aging. He is not as good as he was and he's in decline almost across the board over the past several years, actually. 

Ya really wasn't that big a deep dive, just looked up his number vs fastballs, which you said he was declining against with no evidence.

His expected stats literally say his April was extremely unlucky. Since then, he's been fantastic. Production wise and in terms of underlying numbers.

Just a fact, its okay to be wrong every now and then.

[twinfan]

They don't need Cruz. They need 2-3 relievers who can stop the other team.

[RpR]

13 hours ago, bean5302 said:

RBI is a completely, totally, utterly useless stat for evaluating individual player performance.

To you.

[ashbury]

8 hours ago, rwilfong86 said:

Can Cruz pitch in late innings? 

I think he's got a chronic injury, to his elbow or bicep.  I wouldn't risk it.

[Dennesey55347]

9 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Across Cruz's career, his bat is significantly worse in high leverage situations. I'm not sure what a "rallying presence" is, is that like when he fixed Miguel Sano? LOL

God himself can't help Sano's game. I would counter-argue that Sano loved Cruz and was most productive in the Cruz years. Also, I would send Cruz to the plate for a big hit over absolutely anyone in the current lineup. Just 1 cool stat: (2022) 2-out RBI leader sits at 27. Nelson Cruz is tied for 13th place with 20. Only 2 Twins in the top 100- Sanchez and Urshela. Twins have to go outside the org to get clutch hitters. 

[dxpavelka]

On 6/29/2022 at 3:53 PM, big dog said:

How many playoff games did we win with Nelson's leadership? Even the bathrobes didn't work.

Any trade for Cruz would be for playoff games yet to be played not the ones previously played.

[nclahammer]

DH is not among the problems for the Minnesota Twins.

[rv78]

Move on man. That party is over. Twins need bullpen help,.... Maybe "The Turtle" since he's pitched in relief before.

[Riverbrian]

I love Nelson... I don't want my response to sound like I don't. 

But... NO! 

If you have young players like Miranda, Kirilloff, Larnach, Arraez who will be around for a while and can all be utilized at the DH spot for playing time and development. Why would you block that with a player who can only DH and only hit slightly better or not hit better when you look at his current abilities. 

I love Nelson Cruz... I think the world of him but what he is producing today doesn't improve (enough or at all) what we currently have producing today for us and it would hinder what we have producing for us in the future. 

Now if you want to bring aboard a bat that can play a position. That's a different discussion and I'm listening.  

[Dennesey55347]

15 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Any trade for Cruz would be for playoff games yet to be played not the ones previously played.

How many playoff games have the Angels won with Trout (and Ohtani)? Same question could be applied to a number of great players but obviously doesn't discount their accomplishments/value or guarantee playoff wins. And I'm sure this org. would ask Cruz to tone down his excellent regular-season RBI production and save it for the post-season...lol.

[big dog]

On 6/30/2022 at 11:10 PM, dxpavelka said:

Any trade for Cruz would be for playoff games yet to be played not the ones previously played.

Thanks, I thought the Pohlads had bought a time machine. I appreciate the correction.

[dxpavelka]

2 hours ago, big dog said:

Thanks, I thought the Pohlads had bought a time machine. I appreciate the correction.

I do what I can..

[Schmoeman5]

On 6/29/2022 at 11:17 PM, bean5302 said:

Easier to knock in runs when people are on base. Arraez is batting .406 with a .984 OPS with runners on and .413 with a 1.037 OPS with RISP.

RBI is a completely, totally, utterly useless stat for evaluating individual player performance.

OK Brian Kenny.  That's just so easy to say and it has no validity. Just like wins for a starting pitcher is a useless stat

[MTV]

I’d enjoy Cruz back in the Lineup, he’d add a kick to the lineup and veteran leadership to the team, the only Problem is roster space. Jeffers, Sanchez, Kirilloff, Arraez, Miranda, Polanco, Correa, Urshela, Gordon, Larnach, Garlick, Buxton, Kepler. That’s 13. Until the expanded playoffs, Cruz would push someone (likely either Celestino or Miranda) to the minors for roster space. To be completely honest this doesn’t sound terrible, especially with Celestino struggling recently, plus the uncertainty of injury, and the expanded playoffs could get all 14 on the roster. Honestly, bring him back. He’ll offer a boost to the lineup, cost very little, and could (possibly) turn a strong lineup into one of the league’s best.

[MTV]

3 minutes ago, MTV said:

I’d enjoy Cruz back in the Lineup, he’d add a kick to the lineup and veteran leadership to the team, the only Problem is roster space. Jeffers, Sanchez, Kirilloff, Arraez, Miranda, Polanco, Correa, Urshela, Gordon, Larnach, Garlick, Buxton, Kepler. That’s 13. Until the expanded playoffs, Cruz would push someone (likely either Celestino or Miranda) to the minors for roster space. To be completely honest this doesn’t sound terrible, especially with Celestino struggling recently, plus the uncertainty of injury, and the expanded playoffs could get all 14 on the roster. Honestly, bring him back. He’ll offer a boost to the lineup, cost very little, and could (possibly) turn a strong lineup into one of the league’s best.

Also just realized the Twins could add bullpen depth this way, possibly acquiring Tanner Rainey or Steve Cishek

[RpR]

On 7/4/2022 at 2:20 AM, MTV said:

I’d enjoy Cruz back in the Lineup, he’d add a kick to the lineup and veteran leadership to the team, the only Problem is roster space. Jeffers, Sanchez, Kirilloff, Arraez, Miranda, Polanco, Correa, Urshela, Gordon, Larnach, Garlick, Buxton, Kepler. That’s 13. Until the expanded playoffs, Cruz would push someone (likely either Celestino or Miranda) to the minors for roster space. To be completely honest this doesn’t sound terrible, especially with Celestino struggling recently, plus the uncertainty of injury, and the expanded playoffs could get all 14 on the roster. Honestly, bring him back. He’ll offer a boost to the lineup, cost very little, and could (possibly) turn a strong lineup into one of the league’s best.

Miranda has out performed Kirilloff , he would most likely go, Larnach is already on sick leave, and Jeffers is the one who needs some AAA training.

[TopGunn#22]

In 2019 Nelson Cruz had perhaps the greatest offensive season in Twins history.  It certainly ranks up there with Carew in 1977, Killebrew in 1969, Oliva in 1964 and Puckett's best year, 1988.  But for there to be ANY chance for the Twins to bring him back one thing would need to happen, consistently and regularly.  And that would be Buxton playing every day in CF.  Otherwise, it just makes no sense, and we all know Buxton is NOT going to play everyday in CF.

I'm a HUGE Nellie Cruz fan.  But this just doesn't work, in any circumstance or strategy.  I don't mind the topic though, it gets all of us commenting and pontificating.  That's a GOOD thing for TD.  For the Twins to acquire any kind of bat, that guy has to play somewhere, preferably catcher (Contreras) or maybe LF.  But I think the lineup will be just fine as Kirilloff continues to improve, Polanco gets hot, Kepler's power numbers rise and Arraez, Correa and Buxton keep doing what they're doing (although I WOULD like Buxton to get his average up to .250-.275).  

We need pitching.  Pitching is what keeps you in close ballgames where a dinger or a big hit have even more impact.  We need 3 BP arms whether acquired via trade or promotion, and we need one #1 stud SP.  By the time the playoffs roll around, if we've done some or all of what we need to do pitching wise, we've got a good enough lineup.  

[USAFChief]

On 6/29/2022 at 9:17 PM, bean5302 said:

RBI is a completely, totally, utterly useless stat for evaluating individual player performance.

Completely, totally, utterly wrong.

 

At the end of the day, RBI are the single most valuable contribution a player can make on offense.

 

Sometimes not predictive, sure.

 

But when evaluating performance in terms of contributions towards winning, nothing a player did was more valuable. Nothing.