BREAKING: Twins Agree with DH Nelson Cruz on One-Year Deal

The Athletic's intrepid beat man Dan Hayes was all over this one, reporting over the weekend that the Twins and Cruz had re-engaged after a period of inactivity.

"While the latest development doesn’t guarantee anything gets completed," Hayes wrote, "the move to reconnect demonstrates that the Twins and Cruz understand the need for urgency in determining whether a new agreement can be reached."

Just a few days later, it's a done deal. The Twins waited out Cruz and basically got him on the terms they wanted: a one-year pact at a reasonable salary that still gives them flexibility for further additions.

Of course, there's no overstating how important Cruz has been to the Twins over these past two seasons. He was chosen as the team's Most Valuable Player in both 2019 and 2020, slashing .308/.394/.626 with 57 home runs and 141 RBIs in 173 games. During that span, he has ranked second among all MLB hitters in wOBA, wRC+, and OPS, trailing only Mike Trout in each category.

Needless to say, the Twins' lineup card looks a whole lot better with the elite slugger penciled in. And his immensely positive impact goes beyond the bat – Cruz is lauded as a key figure in the clubhouse and community. Last summer he received the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in recognition of his amazing charitable work and generosity.

That is not to say this signing isn't without risk. Cruz's $13 million salary commitment will likely limit what the Twins can do to address their remaining needs in the rotation and bullpen. He's the primest of prime regression candidates, set to turn 41 in July and having shown signs of wear down the stretch in 2020. Additionally, his inability to play anywhere other than DH (and the need to have him out there as much as possible) will be a constraint for Rocco Baldelli to deal with as he tries to keep his other regulars fresh, and utility man Luis Arráez in the lineup.

But at the end of the day, the cons are outweighed by the pros for this seasoned and highly respected slugger. Even if he's not quite as good as he has been the past two years, Cruz can easily be one of the league's most imposing hitters and a big asset in the heart of the lineup.

As Minnesota's unquestioned leader, Cruz has helped power the Twins to a .617 winning percentage and back-to-back division titles, but not one victory in the postseason. Now he'll get a chance to settle some unfinished business, with a reconfigured roster that will still feel plenty familiar thanks to his presence.

Having finally resolved their biggest offseason sticking point, the Twins can feel pretty good about the state of their lineup. While they may still add another outfielder or infield depth, and trades cannot be ruled out, the offense is looking fairly set. Now, attention turns to the pitching staff. The effective payroll stands at around $125 million with Cruz's addition.

Check back into Twins Daily for more details and analysis of this big signing, and share your initial reactions in the comments below.

Nelly's back. Let's go.

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