Which team will break the bank for Nelson Cruz?

Nelson Cruz is the most powerful hitter left on the free agent market. Fellow DH’s Victor Martinez and Billy Butler have already been signed. Enticing names like Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez and Yasmany Tomas have been signed too. With multiple teams suffering from power absences and right-handed hitting struggles, who will break the bank for Cruz?

Jon Heyman’s early November report indicated Cruz’s desire for a four-year deal. With nothing substantial happening between he and other teams since, it’s entirely likely that this desire remains a priority. Cruz is 34-years-old and has the infamous label of being a steroid user, aspects that will make certain organizations shy away.

Considering Cruz was the only player to blast 40 home runs in 2014, perhaps his age and past indiscretions are worth overlooking. From 2009 to 2013, Cruz hit between 22 and 33 bombs annually and never batted below .260. He slugged at a .500 or greater clip in every year except one. 2014 might seem like an anomaly with the 40 shots and 108 RBIs, but he’s been consistently productive for years.

With his value as a power hitter undeniable, which teams should make a run at him? In the American League, a place of comfort for Cruz with the DH role, the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners are two teams in need of his services. Breaking the bank for his power would be a wise investment for either franchise.

Cruz thrived in Baltimore’s tiny Camden Yards ballpark. With the AL East being the Orioles’ division to lose, bringing back Cruz should be a priority. He’s also a playoff legend, giving him extra value for a team hoping to play deep into October. Losing him wouldn’t be crippling, but it would be a definite setback.

For Seattle, Cruz is the right-handed power bat they desire. Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager need another presence. Cruz would be the perfect cleanup hitter between the Mariners’ current offensive stars. Seattle seems one bat short of breaking through. A 40 homer threat has a strong chance of being that missing piece.

Even though Cruz is most appealing as a DH, National League squads should take a look at him too. The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants are two NL teams with a spot for Cruz. His likely position for either team would be in left field.

Coming off 79 wins in 2014, the Mets are decently close to contention. David Wright and Lucas Duda are the only major lineup threats for New York. Cruz’s below average defense in left field would be outweighed by his slugging tendencies and impact on fellow batters. If New York wants to win back its fans and contend, go after Cruz.

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With Sandoval leaving the Giants, Buster Posey and Hunter Pence are left without a hitter to smash between them. A lefty or switch-hitter like Sandoval is more desirable, but flexibility is already in-house with left-handed first baseman Brandon Belt. Cruz’s defensive shortcomings probably aren’t appealing to Bruce Bochy, but much like with other teams, his power and threatening presence should be.

The four teams mentioned are largely speculative, but each organization would benefit from signing Cruz. He’s a right-handed hitting power threat who makes everyone around him see better pitches. Despite his steroid use, he’s also seen as a clubhouse figure who positively adds to team morale. If contention is the goal in 2015, Cruz justifies the cost of doing business and is worth breaking the bank over.

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