MINNEAPOLIS – It took until February, but the Gemini finally got their man back. Nelson Cruz is heading back to Minnesota on a one-year, $ 13 million contract, pending a physical contract, sources told MLB.com Tuesday night. Given both sides, it took longer than many expected for the deal to be finalized
MINNEAPOLIS – It took until February, but the Twins finally got their man back.
• Hot Stove Tracker
It’s a reunion that made sense to both parties. Cruz has been the Twins’ leading hitter for the past two seasons, providing consistent power and average from the heart of the lineup, with prominence in the 2019 “Bomba Squad” that set the MLB record for one-season home runs . Cruz also announced that he liked his situation in Minnesota, where he was part of a competitive roster and was comfortable with the organization and clubhouse.
Even when he passed the age of 40, Cruz showed no signs of slowing down on the record – and has actually picked up on his performance on many levels.
Cruz originally signed with the Twins for the 2019 season, posting two of the best seasons of his career, leading the club in homers and OPS in both campaigns, while the Twins claimed consecutive American League Central championships. His OPS + scores of 168 and 169 in the past two seasons were the highest marks of his career (except for the 2008 season when he only played 31 games) and he received national recognition with Silver Slugger Awards in both seasons and a few top 10 finishes in AL MVP Award votes.
In two seasons in Minnesota, Cruz hit .308 / .394 / .626 with 57 homers in 173 games. After receiving $ 14 million in 2019, it wasn’t a hard decision for the Twins to exercise his $ 12 million club option for ’20 – and to bring him back for a similar price in ’21.
It’s even more important to have Cruz in the Twins’ clubhouse as a leading figure for many of the young players on the heavily international roster, especially his fellow Dominican slugger Miguel Sanó, who had the best season of his career. in ’19 under the wing of Cruz. and thereby earned a contract extension.
The stability and voice that Cruz brings to the clubhouse could be even more important this season, when the Twins could call out some of their best prospects for meaningful roles in what they hope to be a playoff-tied team for the third year on. queue. of increasing competition from the White Sox.
Cruz also matched the Gemini’s emphasis on community service with his dedication to charitable endeavors in the Dominican Republic, for which he earned the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award and the 2020 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.
Still, it wasn’t a reunion that came quickly, especially given the uncertainty of whether the designated hitter would return to the National League for the 2021 season, which would have broadened the market of teams seeking Cruz’s services. That’s a situation that seemed to be clarified on Monday, when the league announced that the MLB Players’ Association had rejected a ’21 proposal that would have included both a delayed start to the season and the universal DH, among other plans. The deal with Cruz came not long after, late Tuesday night.
Cruz’s return should largely complete the offense of the Twins, who also added shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a one-year deal last week, pushing Jorge Polanco to second base and Luis Arraez to the vacant utility position. Minnesota also added righthanded Hansel Robles and lefthanded JA Happ off-season and could be in the market for additional pitching help to complete their off-season.
The 2021 Twins are finally taking shape – with their most prolific hitter finally back in the fray.
Do-Hyoung Park covers the Twins for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @dohyoungpark and on Instagram at dohyoung.park.