The Twins have apparently agreed to a deal with Cruz for $13m according to Jeff Passan.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/twins-to-re-sign-nelson-cruz.html

I'm lukewarm on this, honestly. I think other options could have been had for less money or less risk (as in Ozuna for more years at the same money or another player at far less money for one year) but I am not unhappy that Nelson Cruz is back on the Minnesota Twins roster in 2021.

Very good. We need his bat in the lineup, and we didn't have to go two years. He deserves $13M after how well he's played the past two years... well, he probably deserves a bit more, but age is certainly a factor. I definitely feel better about the lineup now.

 

Obligatory lineup projection:

 

1 LF Arraez

2 3B Donaldson

3 DH Cruz

4 RF Kepler

5 2B Polanco

6 3B Sano

7 C Garver

8 SS Simmons

9 CF Buxton

 

Obligatory lineup projection:

 

1 LF Arraez

2 3B Donaldson

3 DH Sano

4 RF Kepler

5 2B Polanco

6 3B Sano

7 C Garver

8 SS Simmons

9 CF Buxton

I have a few problems with this lineup but one MAJOR problem.

 

You forgot the person titled in this very thread.

 

I have a few problems with this lineup but one MAJOR problem.

 

You forgot the person entitled in this thread.

That was a typo, Cruz was at #3 DH'ing, just got mixed up in my mind with the other 4 letter latin name.

A little steep with the price, but I think it's going to be 100% worth it. His leadership in the clubhouse with be worth half that price at least. 

Very happy with this signing. Cannot rely on rookies to produce in the middle of the order. After the Simmons signing I thought Cruz became a bigger need. Another starter and two relievers and we are ready

If Cruz signs again next year and is an MVP hitter the next 2 seasons like the last 2 can he go in the Hall of Fame as a Twin?  Also he wins World Series MVP at least once the next 2 seasons too.....

If Cruz signs again next year and is an MVP hitter the next 2 seasons like the last 2 can he go in the Hall of Fame as a Twin? Also he wins World Series MVP at least once the next 2 seasons too.....

I don’t think it’s realistic to expect him to win more than one World Series MVP over the next two years. Buxton will likely win the other one.

 

That was a typo, Cruz was at #3 DH'ing, just got mixed up in my mind with the other 4 letter latin name.

You also have Sano battling it out at 3B with Donaldson. Guess it was that 4-letter anglo name that got you? Miguel already has an internet feud going with Eddie Rosario, don't stir up extra trouble for him!
 

 

You also have Sano battling it out at 3B with Donaldson. Guess it was that 4-letter anglo name that got you? Miguel already has an internet feud going with Eddie Rosario, don't stir up extra trouble for him!
 

2 3B/0 1B is the new shift trend this year.

I like the move. One year is basically no commitment, if he finally falls off the cliff, which he's shown no evidence of at this time, than the young guys get more ABs and you have one of the best sluggers this century available to pinch hit late.

 

Plus, he really seems like the team leader who has also been the team's best offensive weapon the past two years, I'm not sure how the clubhouse would have reacted if the Twins could have easily brought him back but didn't.