Nelson Cruz Should Strongly Consider Signing With Seattle Mariners
By Vinny Lanni
@vinnylanni
Getty Images
The Baltimore Orioles and their slugger Nelson Cruz had a great 2014 season. Cruz recaptured his power stroke when he signed with the Orioles in the offseason, and he was a key component to the team’s playoff run. Cruz is currently a free agent, and even though the Orioles are said to be pretty high on his list, he should consider moving to the great Northwest where he can join a talented and young Seattle Mariners squad.
Cruz had a career year, hitting a crazy .271 with 40 home runs and 108 RBIs. It was his goal to sign a one-year contract to prove that he is an elite player and cash in during the offseason, and now his plan is coming to fruition.
The outfielder is 34 years old, and he’s seeking a big deal that is about four years long, but not many teams are quick to give out money to an aging superstar. There are so many questions about aging players and their ability to maintain high production for year-to-year, but that is when the Mariners come into play.
Before the 2014 season started, the M’s gave prized free agent Robinson Cano a huge contract that was 10 years long and worth $240 million. The question is, are the Mariners big-time players, and how eager are they to win now? The M’s rank pretty high when it comes to available payroll and they are desperate for a powerful, right-handed bat that can hit behind Cano.
Cruz was rumored to join the Mariners in 2013, and now a possible trip to Seattle makes sense for both sides. It’s going to be hard for the M’s to pry Cruz away from the Orioles after their success last season, but never say never.
Vinny Lanni is a New York Jets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google.
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