Minnesota Twins: Nelson Cruz waiting for clarity before signing
Minnesota Twins slugger Nelson Cruz will hold off signing a contract until the league provides more clarity on the DH rule.
While Nelson Cruz will turn 41-years-old during the 2021 MLB season, the slugger has plenty of pop left in his bat. During his past two seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Cruz relinquished his defensive duties and played solely at DH.
His permanent move to DH has done wonders to extending his potential Hall of Fame-worthy career. In 53 games last season, Cruz hit .303 with 16 home runs and 33 RBIs. His 2019 campaign was even better. The slugger hit 41 home runs, 108 RBIs, and recorded a .311 batting average.
If you pitch to Nelson Cruz, you’re gonna have a bad time. #TwinsWin | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/1JcEykp4Rf
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 4, 2020
Cruz sits in an interesting position this offseason. There’s no doubt that he will draw attention from teams looking for a big bat, or teams in need of a permanent DH. His two-year contract with the Twins expired and Cruz is set for free agency.
light. More Twins. Cruz not facing ideal market
Yet, according to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, Cruz won’t be signing a contract anytime soon. According to his sources, Cruz has declared he will wait for the league’s decision on moving forward with the universal DH rule next year.
Source: Free agent Nelson Cruz is unlikely to sign until there is clarity on whether #MLB will have a universal DH in 2021; that change would need to be collectively bargained. Cruz, 40, has hit the 5th most HR in MLB over the last 2 years. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 19, 2020
During the 60-game pandemic-shortened 2020 season, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred experimented with a number of rule changes. One of the most popular, by fans and players alike, was the introduction of the universal DH.
The American League adopted the use of the DH in 1973. Since that time, pitchers have continued to hit in games played in National League parks. The results? Dismal and embarrassing. Over time pitchers spent less and less time worrying about hitting. In fact, many fail to properly execute sacrifice bunts.
Baseball purists may roll their eyes. But, point blank, pitchers cannot hit. It’s often an automatic out in lineups, and it’s something that turns off younger fans of the game.
The future of the universal DH rule depends on labor talks between the players and owners for the new CBA. Essentially, more will be revealed for the future of this rule.
The same can be said for Cruz. If the universal DH rule is passed, this opens up another 15 potential landing spots for the slugger. Some experts suspect the Minnesota Twins will bring Cruz back, potentially on a short one-year deal.
Next. Cruz worth a two year deal. dark
But, if the rule is passed, this expands the list of Nelson Cruz’s suitors. Could we see Cruz penciled in as the DH next season for the Atlanta Braves, the New York Mets, or the San Diego Padres?
Time will tell.