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Minnesota Twins make easiest decision of offseason with Nelson Cruz

By David Hill

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins follows through on a third inning home run against the New York Yankees in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins follows through on a third inning home run against the New York Yankees in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Twins hold a team option on Nelson Cruz for the 2020 season. Yeah…about that…

When the Minnesota Twins signed Nelson Cruz to a one year deal worth $14.3 million, and a $12 million team option for 2020, it seemed like a potential bargain. Cruz had been one of the better sluggers in the game over the previous few years, and even at 38 years old, was worth a gamble.

As it turned out, Cruz was worth every cent of that contract, leaving whether or not to pick up his option as one of the easiest decisions of the offseason. The Twins made that decision official on Wednesday, as Jon Heyman announced that Cruz will be back in Minnesota next year.

Minnesota had hoped that Cruz would help provide a level of power that had been missing the previous year. He did exactly that, producing an excellent .311/.392/.639 batting line, belting 41 homers and 26 doubles. Cruz was the power threat that the Twins needed.

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As it currently stands, the Twins will have quite a few decisions to make this offseason. They have six potential free agents, including starters Jake Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson, and Michael Pineda. The Twins rotation will look drastically different next season.

Given the changes that are likely to come to the rotation, the Twins offense will be all the more important next year. Minnesota ranked first in the league with their 307 homers, a new single season record, and was second in the AL with a .823 OPS. That offense may need to step up again in 2020.

If that is to be the case, retaining Cruz will be an important part of the puzzle. Although he will turn 40 years old during the upcoming season, he is still one of the better power hitters in the game, hitting no fewer than 37 homers in a season since 2014. Even at his age, the $12 million that Minnesota will pay Cruz for the coming year is well worth it.

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The Minnesota Twins made their easiest decision of the offseason by picking up the option on Nelson Cruz. He is not showing any signs of slowing down, despite his age.

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