MINNEAPOLIS – It lasted until February, but the twins finally got their husband back. Nelson Cruz is on a $ 13 million one-year contract back in Minnesota, pending a physical case, sources told MLB.com Tuesday night. It took longer than many people expected to complete the agreement, taking into account both sides
MINNEAPOLIS – It lasted until February, but the twins finally got their husband back.
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It’s a reunion that made sense to both sides. Cruz was the Twins’ best hit of the past two seasons and offered sustained power and average from the heart of the series, appearing prominently in the 2019 “Bomba Squad” which set MLB’s single season record for home racing. Cruz also made it known that he likes his situation in Minnesota, where he was part of a struggling roster and felt comfortable with the organization and the clubhouse.
Even when he reached the age of 40, Cruz showed no signs of slowing down – and he improved his performance on many levels.
Cruz originally signed with the Twins before the 2019 season and posted two of the best seasons of his career, leading the club in both him and OPS in both campaigns. His OPS + points of 168 and 169 in the last two seasons were the highest points in his career (excluding the 2008 season when he played only 31 games) and he received national recognition with the Silver Slugger awards both seasons and ‘ some top 10 finishes in AL MVP award voting.
Over two seasons in Minnesota, Cruz scored .308 / .394 / .626 with 17 homers in 173 games. After receiving $ 14 million in 2019, it was not a difficult decision for the Twins to exercise his $ 12 million club option for ’20 – and bring him back at a similar price in ’21.
It’s even more important to have Cruz in the Twins’ clubhouse as a leading figure for many of the young players on the strong international rankings, especially for fellow Dominican striker Miguel Sanó, who had the best season of his career in ’19 under Cruz’s had wing. and consequently earned a contract extension.
The stability and voice Cruz brings to the clubhouse could be even more important this season, as the Twins can call up some of their best prospects for significant roles over what they hope to be a playoff team for the third year in a row. of increasing competition from the White Sox.
Cruz also aligns with the twins’ emphasis on community service with his dedication to charitable instruments in the Dominican Republic, for which he earned the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in 2020 and the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2020.
Yet it was not a reunion that came quickly, especially considering the uncertainty whether the designated hitter in the National League would return for the 2021 season, which would expand the market of teams looking for Cruz’s services . This is a situation that apparently gained more clarity on Monday when the league announced that the MLB Players ‘Association had rejected a proposal for ’21’, which would delay the start of the season and the universal DH, among others. include. The deal with Cruz did not come long after Tuesday night.
Cruz’s return should mostly complete the Twins’ attack, which Andrelton Simmons also added last year on a one-year deal, which pushed Jorge Polanco to second base and Luis Arraez to vacant position. Minnesota has also added right-handed Hansel Robles and left-handed JA Happ this season, and may be in the market for additional throwing aids to round out their off-season finishing.
The 2021 twins are finally taking shape – with their most productive hit finally back in the fray.
Do-Hyoung Park covers the twins for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @dohyoungpark and on Instagram at dohyoung.park.