Why Haven’t the Twins Signed Nelson Cruz Yet?

[Cody Pirkl]

In the last week, people have seemed to grow impatient with the Twins prized DH remaining on the free agent market. “Just sign Nelson Cruz and get it over with” they say. The Twins front office however is likely playing things the right way.Reports have surfaced saying the MLB has informed teams to “operate as if there is no DH in the National League”. For what it’s worth, that’s not a definitive statement, but it was likely one that Cruz wasn’t excited to hear. The MLB suggested that as Cruz approaches likely the last payday of his career, the pool of teams in need of his services has been greatly decreased from what he would have come to expect after much of the NL struggled to fill that role in 2020.

 

Furthermore, as Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic suggested earlier this week, the pool of possible teams for Cruz in the AL isn’t the strongest either. Not only does a team need an opening at DH to slot Cruz in, but they would likely need to be in contention to justify the risk of paying a significant salary to a 41 year old. So what exactly does this mean to Cruz?

 

It was reported that Cruz had an offer from the Twins back in October which has since been pulled along with the NL DH announcement. The price has not been reported, but we could suspect that it was for one year guaranteed and a significant sum to reflect the NL being in competition for Cruz. The fact that talks haven’t heated back up suggests Cruz is prepared to wait this out, banking on the MLB Players Association bargaining to bring the DH to the NL. He has little to lose by doing this, whereas the Twins stand to lose plenty by jumping the gun.

 

At this point in time, the Twins would be bidding against themselves in the Cruz market it seems. Cruz seems intent on waiting for 15 more suitors for his services to be announced later this winter, which means the Twins would have to pay that price right now without the assurance that announcement is ever even made. The difference in price may be $5m+ and likely a second guaranteed year. It’s easy enough for fans to say “quit being cheap, just do it”, but the Twins have significant needs elsewhere on their roster, and the front office simply isn’t going to handcuff themselves over a position that they already have in house options to fill. Signing Cruz right now likely costs the Twins a formidable utility man or high leverage bullpen arm, as well as flexibility in the 2021 offseason.

 

On top of all of this, the Twins have never been ones to want to be left “holding the bag” so to speak. Cruz finished 2020 poorly, missing much of the last month with injury and struggling upon his return. Twins fans may think Cruz can do this forever, but at 41 it’s not unlikely that one of these years the bottom falls out. While projection systems still put Cruz at 14% above league average for 2021, several other free agents hover around this mark such as Kyle Schwarber and Michael Brantley. The front office may consider pivoting to the younger, less risky options that can fill in at other positions in a pinch.

 

Cruz is still a star hitter until he shows he isn’t, but his last 2 years in Minnesota hide how likely it is that this revelation is right around the corner.We all want Cruz back, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of the rest of the Twins needs. While it’s frustrating to watch one of the most exciting players in Twins territory in recent years sit out in free agency, keep in mind that there’s a much larger plan at work. Nelson Cruz’s return in 2021 will likely only happen under the terms of the front office trying to construct a team rather than Cruz who’s trying to secure as big of a payday as possible.

 

— Latest Twins coverage from our writers

— Recent Twins discussion in our forums

— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

— Follow Cody Pirkl on Twitter here

 

Click here to view the article

[mikelink45]

No hurry - Larnach, Rooker, Kiriloff - three good bats.  Maybe a step below Cruz if he is what he was in 2019, but if he is playing like his age there is no reason to throw a lot of money at him and every reason to wait. 

[jrod23]

I get that Nelson has a family to take care of.  I get that he wants to take care of other players at the position to be paid in the future.  However, it's his last year.  Why wouldn't you go and play where ever you wanted and be happy.  You'll get paid PLENTY.  Just go play where you want to play and don't worry about anything else.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

I get that Nelson has a family to take care of.  I get that he wants to take care of other players at the position to be paid in the future.  However, it's his last year.  Why wouldn't you go and play where ever you wanted and be happy.  You'll get paid PLENTY.  Just go play where you want to play and don't worry about anything else.

Nelson Cruz is probably the most philanthropic athlete that ever put on a uniform. Do I know this? No. But I think it's probably true. Whatever millions he earns for himself, he also earns for others. He's a hero in so many ways. I wouldn't begrudge him any fair deal.

[Doctor Gast]

Unfortunately, we are a small market. So we have to be creative, patient    & shrewd to compete. Cruz also has to look after himself. I think where people get anxious is that they`re afraid that a high rated DH might get away. I believe most people's plan A is to                         resign Cruz, IMO our plan B should be internal. Use             the           DH as a strategic  & rotational position to relieve over-extended or       injured               players. This will also free up some $ where we'd need it more.

This plan B             is       not only the  better option strategically but also less stressful so we can  be   more     patient to make the right decision. The universal DH is better for Cruz leverage wise but it also puts more physical demands on him to play a few more games that could be more detrimental for him. So the patient game is the best game whatever happens will be fine  for both parties. 

[Trov]

This whole article is pure speculation as to contract discussions.  We have no clue if any talks have happened, and if they have what has been discussed.  Both sides at end of year said they are interested in Cruz playing in MN next year.  That does not mean numbers have been discussed yet.  It is fully possible the Twins have said "Cruz, we want you back, but lets hold on talks until we both know more about next year so as not to insult either side.  All we ask is if you start getting offers you let us know so we can talk then."  

 

The contracts are numbers, the players are people, not just resources.  Developing relationships, and being known to be a good organization to work with helps.  Every organization has a reason to do things, and every player has a reason to do things.  Some players would rather retire than play for less than their believe value.  Some players will want to play until the teams take the bat or ball out of their hands and will play for whatever team will sign them.  Some want to get that ship and will take a lessor role for less money on a team that may win it, than more money on a bottom feeding team.  

 

None of us know what drives Cruz.  So often we think just money, and we as fans either judge them for it, or praise them for it.  We put ourselves in their shoes, without knowing their life or mind, and impose our own judgement thinking if we were them.  We are not them, and they are not us.  For all we know, Cruz may be thinking of calling it a career.  

 

I still expect Cruz to be back with Twins on a less than expected deal because of possible lack of fans for at least several few months, and because few teams will be seeking to bring him on.  Twins could offer min deal, but that would be an insult to Cruz.  I expect a smaller base, with a few incentives that could drive it up.  This would protect the team if he does bottom out or have injuries, but will get Cruz closer to market value if he still can produce.  Personally, I think these are the types of deals teams really should start pushing for generally. 

[rdehring]

Would love having Cruz back with the Twins next year, but not on a two year deal.

 

As for the Twins, they may be better off if he isn't back, both financially and on the field. I believe Rooker is going to be a very good hitter with a real chance of hitting as well as Cruz does in 2021 and better in 2022. And he would be doing that for $0.05 on the dollar. The Twins may have realized this and another offer may never make it to being 'on the table.'

 

And if Rooker doesn't work out, there is Kirilloff and Larnach. One of that trio is going to be very good...although expect one will be in left field.

 

 

 

 

[h2oface]

If it isn't Cruz, the Twins don't need one. Definitely not a Kyle Schwarber and Michael Brantley.

 

I like to see good players get paid. Too many give their best years as a young player, and get paid a fraction of what they are worth, and ownership is never one to reward them with a special performance bonus in appreciation when that happens. So I am not one to gloat about how cheap the very rich can be and get away with paying someone less to do the same job. 

[tony&rodney]

Cruz may be risky to sign for two years but any ideas that a combination of rookies or others taking a turn through the designated hitter slot putting up the numbers we saw from Nelson Cruz are pure folly. 

I am ok with a team sans Cruz if that money is spent to prop up the bullpen or rotation. It sure seems like he earned another contract despite our knowledge that business is not run on performances from the past.

The decision is can he still hit? Yes - pay him. Nervous - move on.

[Teflon]

Not signing Cruz just means Miguel Sano moves to his destined position one season earlier.

[TopGunn#22]

Once again, I'm on the tony&rodney bandwagon.  

Even with his fade down the stretch Cruz was still our best hitter  BY A MILE.

In the Playoffs he was the ONLY guy that hit.

I firmly believe that Kiriloff, Larnach and Rooker have the goods.

But if you watch or listen to MLB TV or Radio those guys are pretty pessimistic on the Twins bringing Cruz back.  

They think the White Sox will snatch him.

With all the dead weight we let go if we also didn't sign Nellie it would be a shame.

Unfortunately, we let a good opportunity slip by when we let Texas sign Dahl for $3-million.

There is no way Kiriloff, Larnach and Rooker by themselves would approach the production of Cruz.

But all three together with Paxton in our rotation and Liam Hendricks closing.  Well, that's an interesting scenario.  

It's tough to see the White Sox strong out of the gate again and us doing nothing.

Still, Cody is right, patience is needed when dealing with Cruz.  He's not going to rush his decision, and neither should the Twins.  

So just go out and sign Hendricks.

[Desert Twins Fan]

I think we should move on. He hasn’t helped us win in the postseason and this team shouldn’t need “veteran leadership” anymore. We have enough bats that we should just let that position be filled as a rest day.

[peterb18]

 

Unfortunately, we are a small market. So we have to be creative, patient    & shrewd to compete. Cruz also has to look after himself. I think where people get anxious is that they`re afraid that a high rated DH might get away. I believe most people's plan A is to                         resign Cruz, IMO our plan B should be internal. Use             the           DH as a strategic  & rotational position to relieve over-extended or       injured               players. This will also free up some $ where we'd need it more.

This plan B             is       not only the  better option strategically but also less stressful so we can  be   more     patient to make the right decision. The universal DH is better for Cruz leverage wise but it also puts more physical demands on him to play a few more games that could be more detrimental for him. So the patient game is the best game whatever happens will be fine  for both parties. 

No we are not a small market team but mid-market which is a big difference.

[ashbury]

No we are not a small market team but mid-market which is a big difference.

Make that small edit, and everything else he wrote still stands, IMO.

 

[jrod23]

 

Nelson Cruz is probably the most philanthropic athlete that ever put on a uniform. Do I know this? No. But I think it's probably true. Whatever millions he earns for himself, he also earns for others. He's a hero in so many ways. I wouldn't begrudge him any fair deal.

 

I get what you're saying.  He deserves any deal that is thrown at him and more, but that's not my point.  He's made over $100 million dollars since 2011.  Any money now is just sprinkles on the whip cream on top of the frosting.  What I'm saying is tell your agent where you want to play.  Play there.  Be happy.  Ride off into the sunset...and I hope it's the Twins.

[dex8425]

I'm close to 100% sure Cruz will still hit at a high level for the next two years. I'm about 50% sure he can actually stay healthy and play 80% of games for the next two years. He would be a very expensive coach at that point. I see why the Twins are smart to wait. 

 

But go ahead and get some other help in the meantime, which I think the Twins will do. Get one more starter and 2-3 bullpen guys.