4 teams that could use Nelson Cruz as their designated hitter
With the designated hitter likely coming to the National League in time for the 2022 Major League Baseball season, the opportunities for Nelson Cruz to use his skills as a DH will expand greatly.
The 41-year-old Cruz (who will turn 42 on July 1) has shown that he can be a dangerous weapon as a designated hitter, finishing in the top 10 of American League MVP voting in 2019 and 2020 while never playing a defensive position with the Minnesota Twins. Last season, split between the Twins and Tampa Bay Rays, Cruz earned an All-Star Game bid, the seventh of his career.
Where could Cruz end up in 2022? Let’s look at four potential landing spots, understanding that Cruz is predicted to sign a one-year, $12 million deal.
The Minnesota Twins could use Nelson Cruz as their designated hitter in 2022
So when we’re looking at potential landing spots for Cruz, perhaps the most obvious is back with the Twins. During his time in Minnesota, Cruz slashed .304/.386/.598 with 76 home runs and 191 RBI in 1,081 plate appearances.
But there is more to Cruz heading back to Minnesota than just what he’s done on the field. He and Twins first baseman Miguel Sanó have formed a deep relationship that includes Cruz being the godfather of Sanó’s daughter. The Twins also honored Cruz this past season with the Bob Allison Award, given to “the Twins player who exemplifies determination, hustle, tenacity, competitive spirit and leadership both on and off the field.” It was the third straight season Cruz has won the award.
With the Twins committing to Byron Buxton before the lockout, the franchise is showing it’s not afraid to spend. Could that include reinserting Cruz into the lineup?
Could the Seattle Mariners and Nelson Cruz be a fit this offseason?
Cruz had three All-Star appearances with the Mariners during his four years in the Pacific Northwest, hitting more home runs in a Seattle uniform (163) than he has in any other uniform (he has 449 career homers).
After just missing out on the postseason last year, the Mariners have already made moves to bolster the roster, inking reigning American League Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and trading for Adam Frazier. But does more need to be done for a team that finished in MLB’s bottom third in scoring last season (averaging 4.3 runs per game and actually being outscored by 51 runs during the entire campaign)?
That’s where slotting Cruz in as the designated hitter makes a lot of sense. Luis Torrens did well in the role in 2021 and could well keep that momentum going in 2022. However, if the Mariners have the chance to reunite with Cruz and add his pop to the lineup, as well as his veteran leadership in a clubhouse that will be without the recently retired Kyle Seager this season, the move could pay big dividends for a team that believes it is ever so close to snapping MLB’s longest postseason drought.
Nelson Cruz could bring some much-needed offense to the San Diego Padres
Sure, the Padres are trying to offload the contracts of Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers, and are trying to figure out what kind of team they will be after last season’s second-half collapse and the arrival of new manager Bob Melvin, but Nelson Cruz could make sense in San Diego.
Myers could be considered the most likely DH candidate for the Padres in 2022, but is San Diego going to be content with an offense that could look eerily similar to last season’s group that finished 11th out of the National League’s 15 teams in home runs and eighth in runs scored while placing second in strikeouts?
With Adam Frazier now in Seattle, the Padres will need to shake things up on offense in order to keep up with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants just in their division alone (let alone the defending World Champion Atlanta Braves lurking in the NL as well). Cruz could go a long ways toward that, and A.J. Preller has shown he’s not afraid to make the big move to try to improve his team. It hasn’t paid off yet, but you can count on Preller to keep trying to find the right formula for his roster.
And let’s not forget that the Padres have already teased that more moves are to come whenever the lockout is over. Could Cruz be among those moves?
Could Nelson Cruz end up with the Milwaukee Brewers?
During his 17-year MLB career, Nelson Cruz has played all of eight games in the National League. Those glorious eight games came in September of 2005 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
While a 1-for-5 stat line during those eight games might not mean much, wouldn’t it be interesting if Cruz was able to finish his career with the team that gave him his first MLB start?
With the Brewers non-tendering Daniel Vogelbach just before the lockout went into effect, one of the franchise’s potential answers at DH was taken off the board. Some sites have Keston Hiura as a potential fit as designated hitter in Milwaukee, but a combined .192/.279/.362 slash line with 162 strikeouts in 390 at-bats over the last two seasons makes that thought a head-shaker.
Milwaukee finished eighth in homers and 13th in total hits last season in the 15-team National League. Their 4.56 runs per game was just above the league average. The addition of Cruz could help Milwaukee’s offense keep up with its elite pitching.
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The decision on Cruz with the Brewers will likely come down to money. However, with a one-year deal likely in place to land Cruz and Milwaukee looking to repeat as division champs, bringing on board a slugging veteran could be an intriguing addition.