Report: Minnesota Twins to Pick up $12 Million Option for Nelson Cruz
The Minnesota Twins are picking up Nelson Cruz’s $12 million contract option for 2020, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. In January, the Twins signed Cruz to a one-year, $14 million deal, including the club option for 2020. If the Twins didn’t exercise the option, it would come with a $300,000 buyout. The team hasn’t confirmed the report.
In his first season in Minnesota, Cruz batted .311, belted 41 home runs, and drove in 108 runs.
Twins are picking up Nelson Cruz’s $12M option for 2020. No surprise there.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 9, 2019
Leading the “Bomba Squad”
After shattering the MLB record with 307 home runs in 2019, the Twins offense earned the nickname of “Bomba Squad.” As a result, the Twins won 100-plus games for the second time in franchise history and won the American League Central for the first time since 2010. It comes as no surprise that Cruz was the heart and soul of the offensive unit. According to coaches and staffers, Cruz had a “positive influence on the clubhouse.”
Cruz became just the third player in team history to reach the 40-homer mark, joining Harmon Killebrew (seven times) and Brian Dozier (once).
Cruz also became just the fourth player in Major League history to post a 40-homer season in his age-38 season or older, joining Barry Bonds (2003-04), Darrell Evans (1985), and Hank Aaron (1973).
Looking Forward to 2020
After an impressive regular season, the Twins season ended with a sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Although the season didn’t end the ways the Twins had hoped, the foundation was laid for future success.
Cruz is set to return to a Twins lineup that in 2020 will also include, Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco, and Marwin Gonzalez, among others.
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