Minnesota Twins: Free agent market not favorable for Nelson Cruz

One of MLB’s top hitters will battle age and position bias this free agency. What kind of market should Minnesota Twins DH Nelson Cruz anticipate?

Nelson Cruz – responsible for a .286/.372/.565 slash line over the past two seasons, and finisher in the top 10 of the MLB home run race each of the past five seasons – could have trouble finding a team this offseason.

Cruz’s two-year contract with the Minnesota Twins expired after his team went two-and-done against the Houston Astros in the best-of-three Wildcard round. He was the only Twin to hit over .300 and record an extra-base hit in the series.

The numbers are certainly on Cruz’s side as he hits free agency. He’s averaged 37 homers a year since 2014, and that includes the current COVID year, which held each team to 60 games. His batting average rose above .300 in 2019 and 2020, and his 168 OPS+ in ’19 and 169 OPS+ in ’20 were the highest of his 16-year career. Like a fine wine, Nelson Cruz has improved with age.

Yet, age is the protruding concern for clubs considering signing him. The stats do not lie, but at what point does Cruz’s bat speed and reaction time finally slow? That is the hesitancy that keeps General Managers up at night.

Age hasn’t touched Cruz in the batter’s box, though it hindered his defensive capabilities long ago. He hasn’t played a game in the field since 2018. The Twins employed him as a full-time DH, which is what he’ll remain for as long as he continues to play in the big leagues.

Especially nowadays, teams covet flexibility. Managers prefer players that can rotate positions based on daily needs, as they open up more lineup possibilities. The DH has essentially become a flex role that affords players a “day off” from the field. Few squads have a guy that only DHs.

So you can see why Nelson Cruz might not have his pick of the litter this offseason. In all likelihood, the universal DH rule will take 2021 off, thus eliminating half of MLB teams from Cruz’s pool. According to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune, the DH will be AL-only next season.

Cruz returning to the Minnesota Twins in 2021 is possible, if not probable. Per MLB Trade Rumors, there is mutual interest between the two sides. Are there other American League teams, though, that have a fit for the four-time Silver Slugger? The team that stands out the most is the Chicago White Sox.

Edwin Encarnacion was the primary DH for the White Sox this season. After he hit .157 with a .250 OBP and .627 OPS, Chicago declined their contractual option to bring him back in 2021. They now have a vacancy at DH.

There does not seem to be any strong internal candidates for the role. The White Sox may want to give Jose Abreu and Yasmani Grandal occasional time at DH to keep their bats in the lineup while resting their legs, but that is no reason to forgo the best DH in MLB on the free agent market.

Chicago had perhaps the top-performing offense in the American League in 2020. They led the league in home runs and finished second behind the New York Yankees in runs scored. Both accomplishments occurred despite getting mediocre production from their primary designated hitter. The White Sox’s offense would have been the unquestionable best in the AL had they had Nelson Cruz.

The Yankees are the other team that could make a run at Cruz because… Why not? They can afford him, and they’re not a team to shy away from adding firepower. It’s just a matter of whether they have room for him.

If New York attempts to sign Cruz, it likely won’t happen until late in the offseason. They’ll be in the running for superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor, who the Cleveland Indians have openly made available via trade. Which means several current Yankee position players could be on the move. Furthermore, the Yankees are always buyers in free agency; therefore, they could prioritize other positions or other players ahead of full-time DH Nelson Cruz.

Gary Sanchez‘s deficiencies behind the plate could tempt New York to transition him to DH. Sanchez is someone that could be involved in an offseason trade. Also, there’s the possibility that the Yankees decide injury-prone, and $285 million Giancarlo Stanton is best protected as a DH.

Several scenarios could steer Cruz to the Yankees, but will he remain on the market by the time New York addresses their more stringent offseason needs?

Nelson Cruz, who will turn 41 next July, desires a two-year contract. It will be interesting to see if the Twins, White Sox, or Yankees meet his demand. Whichever contender signs him will gain significant middle-of-the-order thump.