MLB instituting a universal designated hitter has made Nelson Cruz a popular free-agent target.
Previously limited to American League clubs, the 41-year-old now has far more suitors. According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, five National League squads are finalists for the DH with unidentified AL teams “also lurking.”
Dodgers, Padres, Brewers, Braves and Nats appear to be finalists for DH extraordinaire Nelson Cruz. AL teams also lurking. @Feinsand pegged LA and SD as favorites
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 13, 2022
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand provided a shorter list, saying Cruz has narrowed down his decision between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
Nelson Cruz is close to making a decision, and it appears to be down to the Dodgers and Padres, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 13, 2022
Even as MLB’s second-oldest hitter behind Albert Pujols, Cruz would provide any of these squads with a potent middle-of-the-order slugger.
Despite posting his lowest slugging percentage (.497) since 2012 last year, Cruz deposited 32 home runs for the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays. Per FanGraphs, he leads the majors in long balls (165) over the last five seasons.
Following an underwhelming 79-83 season amid lofty expectations, the Padres could use another power bat to keep pace in the NL West. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado were their only position players to post an OPS higher than .800 in 2021.
Meanwhile, Cruz would be a nice luxury for a deep Dodgers lineup that lost Corey Seager. However, it might behoove them to leave the DH spot open to accommodate the 37-year-old Justin Turner or Max Muncy, who is returning from a torn UCL.
Free agents haven’t signed as quickly as some hoped when the lockout lifted Thursday evening, but it sounds like Cruz’s decision is imminent.
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