Nelson Cruz Reportedly Pitched Timberwolves' Guard Malik Beasley to Stay in Minnesota

[Lucas Seehafer PT]

The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly re-signed shooting guard Malik Beasley Friday night to a four-year, $60 million dollar deal. It’s a good move for the Wolves, who are looking to obtain relevance for the first time in what seems like an eternity, but what does this have to do with the Twins, exactly?The 24-year-old Beasley was acquired by the Wolves in a February trade and went on to score 20.7 points per game and shoot 42.6% from three in 14 games before the NBA shut down due to the initial COVID-19 outbreak on U.S. shores.

 

According to Michael Scotto, a plugged-in reporter for the website HoopsHype.com, components of the Wolves’ pitch to Beasley Friday night involved custom Vikings and Twins jerseys, a video of his top highlights in Minnesota, and a message from Twins’ key free agent target Nelson Cruz.

 

Twins Daily was able to confirm Scotto's report, though the content of Cruz's message is unknown.

 

Does this mean that Cruz is destined to return to the friendly confines of Target Field? No. But it is interesting that off all the Twins players and coaches who could have pitched Beasley on staying in Minneapolis, Cruz was designated as the best one to do it.

 

Cruz is reportedly waiting on further clarification about the status of the universal DH moving forward and is seeking a multi-year deal in free agency; additionally, while both sides have interest in a reunion, a signing is not expected anytime soon.

 

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[dxpavelka]

Not surprising at all that Cruz was designated as the one who could best pitch Beasley on staying here.  After all, he IS their Designated Pitcher.

 

[nater79a]

Expect a recruiting pitch soon from Malik Beasley for Nelson Cruz to remain in Minnesota.

[DocBauer]

EVERY SINGLE TIME I put pen to paper to figure out my blueprint for 2021, and EVERY SINGLE TIME I listen to the various podcasts here on TD...all done wonderfully BTW...Cruz just doesn't seem to fit on the roster for an "estimated" $125M payroll. Not unless you cut corners somewhere else to the probable detriment to the construction of the team at large.

 

But Cruz has been Mr. Twin since the day be arrived. He has been an outstanding performer and ambassador for the Twins. Now it appears he is contending for Mr. Minnesota. It's why I keep hoping the Twins will be content with a $130M+ plus payroll to find a way to keep him. Losing him...along with Rosario the same offseason...is troubling for the team. I think the FO and ownership understand that. But it's still a business with hard decisions to make at times.

 

It is my hope that the hard decision made is to bank on a contending team and keep a prime piece of that team intact for at least one more year for production, leadership, and public relations by not cutting payroll, or at least only trimming it slightly.

[Jacksson]

I do remember how saving a few bucks by dropping David Ortiz and replacing him with Matt LeCroy worked out.....

[Doctor Gast]

When Scoop sold MN to Cruz, he took it hook, line & sinker. He`s totally committed to the Twins. Of coarse he`ll take the best deal & there`ll a lot of interest if universal DH goes through. But he`ll give FO every opportunity to come close. If he doesn`t sign, MN will lose it`s greatest ambassador. 

[Richard Swerdlick]

Ahhh, but Father Time is undefeated. Youth must be served.