Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz seeking four-year deal

By Jake Misener | Nov 4, 2014

Just one year after having to settle for a one-year, $8 million contract from the Baltimore Orioles after declining a qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers, outfielder Nelson Cruz is reportedly seeking a big payday this winter after he led Major League Baseball with 40 home runs.

After missing the second half of the 2013 season because of a PED-related 50-game suspension, as noted, Cruz decided to test the waters of free agency rather than accepting his qualifying offer from the Rangers. After being tied to multiple teams at different points, including the Seattle Mariners, Cruz eventually joined Baltimore, where he went on to lead the team to an American League East division title, driving in 108 runs and playing well early in the postseason.

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According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, Cruz is looking for a four-year deal after his monster 2014 campaign – and although he appears poised to test the waters and seek offers from interested suitors, a return to the Orioles cannot necessarily be ruled out. Heyman points out, though, that the Baltimore front office does not appear ready to get into the four-year deal foray.

"The Orioles, the beneficiary of that great deal last spring, were said to have signalled in talks with Cruz a willingness to give Cruz at least a two-year deal at a big raise in addition to extending the $15.3 million qualifying offer for 2015. However, there’s no indication they are ready to do a four-year deal with the 34-year-old slugger, so it appears Cruz will have to shop around."

Cruz has long-been considered one of the top offensive threats in the game, hitting at least 22 home runs in each season dating back to 2009, collecting a trio of American League All-Star selections in the process. His 40 homers in 2014, as well as his 108 RBI, were both career-highs.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Cruz won’t be hindered by his being tied to a qualifying offer this time around and could be set for a hefty salary under a new deal.

"His type of power is extremely difficult to find these days, and the qualifying offer won’t crush his market like it did a year ago. At that time, Cruz was coming off a PED suspension. His age, 34, is another deterrent, and he’s limited defensively as well. A four-year deal in the $60-70MM range is possible this time. The Orioles will attempt to re-sign him, while the Mariners could be more convinced this time around after coming close to signing him last winter."

At four years and $60 to $70 million, Cruz will come with a high price tag. But with few other comparable offensive options available this winter, don’t be surprised to see more than a handful of teams vie for his services.

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