It took a while, and he didn’t get the contract he wanted, but free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz has finally agreed to a contract for the 2014 season. According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes Cruz has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles for $8 million. The deal also includes performance based incentives, and is pending a physical.
Orioles Agree to One Year Deal with Nelson Cruz
The Texas Rangers made a qualifying offer to Cruz, and so will receive draft pick compensation for the signing. Since the Orioles are already giving their first round pick to Cleveland as compensation in the Ubaldo Jimenez signing, the Rangers will take the Orioles second round pick (and draft pick signing allocation space).
Cruz was suspended for 50 games last season for his role in the Biogenesis scandal. He hit 266/.327/.506 with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs in 109 games in 2013. Over the past five years Cruz has hit 135 home runs, amongst the top 20 sluggers in that time period.
Cruz should DH and play some outfield for the Orioles. While Cruz was certainly looking for a more long-term deal, the one-year contract will allow the 33-year-old a year to try and prove that PEDs were not the source of all that power, and test the free agent market again next year.
The top remaining position player on the free agent market is Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew.
The issue of draft pick compensation and signing allocation money has clearly effected the market for these two players, amongst others like Jiminez, and Ervin Santana.
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