Minnesota Twins, DH Nelson Cruz agree to 1 year deal option for 2020

With an opening for a designated hitter and a need for more power in the lineup, the Minnesota Twins found quite a fit on the free agent market with a six-time All-Star in Nelson Cruz.

They’ll be counting on his impact beyond the middle of the batting order. There’s a clubhouse filled with still-developing players who could use his wisdom, too.

The Twins signed Cruz to a one-year, $14.3 million contract that comes with a $12 million club option for 2020, formalizing Wednesday their addition of a player whose 203 home runs over the previous five seasons are the most in the major leagues during that span. “I don’t think we view Nelson just as a DH,” Twins general manager Thad Levine said. “He’s clearly going to be occupying that spot in the lineup, but as we’ve intimated, and you’ve got to hear in his voice, what he brings to the table is so much more than that. So we did prioritize this type of offensive production. We did try to prioritize this type of quality of character and leadership.”

Looking for the best online betting site? Visit Heritage Sports!

Cruz, who will turn 39 on July 1, batted .256 with 37 homers, 97 RBIs and a .342 on-base percentage in 2018 for Seattle. He hit a career-high 40 homers in 2014 in a one-year stop in Baltimore, after an eight-season run with Texas. Over the last five years, Cruz has played in an average of 153 games.

Cruz served a 50-game suspension in 2013 for violating the major league drug agreement in relation to the sport’s investigation of the Biogenesis of America clinic. The Twins are still eager to rely on his production and mentorship in a youthful clubhouse. “I know my body. I know what I need to do to stay healthy first, you know? And what I do on a daily basis to prepare myself to be successful on the field, that’s the biggest difference,” said Cruz, who added he would be “very proud” to play in the outfield, where Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler are set at the corner positions. He’s only played there nine times over the previous two seasons.

Get all the latest Betting and Sport News updates on your social media outlets. Find us on both Facebook and Google+!