MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins will make waves in Major League Baseball's free agency market this week with the signing of slugger Nelson Cruz. Yahoo Sports reporter Jeff Passan first broke news of the agreement Thursday morning.
A source tells Yahoo Sports that the deal will pay Cruz $14 million guaranteed in the first year. The deal includes a $12 million club option to keep him in 2020, with a $300,000 buyout.
Cruz, 38, has 1580 hits and 360 career home runs. The right fielder hit 37 home runs and had 133 hits in the 2018 season.
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Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz has agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Twins, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 27, 2018
.@Twins, Nelson Cruz agree to 1-year, $14 million deal with a $12 million club option for 2020, source tells @Feinsand. https://t.co/M6KYYAybPY pic.twitter.com/iVWFPUnmKC
— MLB (@MLB) December 27, 2018
Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Nelson Cruz is 38, so there will always be a risk of rapid decline, but for the Twins to get him on a one-year deal that includes a reasonable 2020 option with a tiny buyout is a no-brainer. Twins' front office stayed patient, waited out the crowded DH market, and got their man.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 27, 2018
Photo: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Seattle Mariners hits an RBI-single off of relief pitcher Keone Kela #50 of the Texas Rangers to score Ben Gamel #16 of the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning of a game at Safeco Field on May 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won 7-6. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
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