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The Padres are one team of interest. Nelson Cruisereports John Heyman of the New York Post (twitter link). The designated hitter, though ending his 2022 season the worst of his career, is one of the most accomplished hitters still available in free agency.
Cruz told reporters in the Dominican Republic last week that his camp has already received offers from clubs for his 42nd season. However, it did not disclose which club made those offers. Cruise also did not disclose whether he received a major league offer or an invitation to a non-roster big league camp.
It was a tough season for Cruz, who spent a year in Washington after signing a $15 million free agency deal. For the first time since 2007, he hit at a below-average level. 234/. 314/. This was his lowest home run total in 14 years, largely thanks to a career-worst ground ball percentage of 52.4%. Cruz continued to hit the ball hard, averaging just under 91 MPH and about 10 points above the league average he posted his contact percentage hard at 45.7%. But much of that contact was relegated to the dirt.
Cruz was showing signs of concern in the second half of the 2021 season as well. Owner of the .294/.370/.537 line during his first few months in Minnesota, he landed on a term contract with the Rays and landed on a .226/.283/.442 his I ran into Mark. Joe Ryan to the Twin Cities. 232/.304/.371 slashing in 745 plate appearances since that trade, although Cruz had previously seemed immortal as he continued to plunge into his 40s.
Health may have played a role in the drop in production. At the end of the year, Cruz revealed he had been playing with an inflamed left eye. is not expected to affect his readiness for spring training, but could provide an explanation for Cruz’s recent struggles. casts doubt on whether he will be able to get back on his feet.
Cruise is certainly seeing a paycut from last season, so that would also drive his asking price down. That could make him more acceptable to San Diego clubs, which may be nearing the spending cap. The Friar is certain to pay luxury taxes for his third season in a row, and Roster Resource estimates that his $273 million investment will result in him dropping the 2024 top draft pick by 10 spots. It’s about $6 million below the threshold.
Cruz is well known to San Diego’s president of baseball operations, AJ Preller. The monks leader of baseball operations was a member of his staff of scouts for the Rangers before landing in San Diego. This coincided with Cruise’s break as a regular in Arlington. They reportedly expressed interest in the offseason before Cruz signed with the Nats.
The 18-year MLB veteran had plenty of experience in the corner outfield early in his career. He was almost entirely a DH for nearly his five years, not recording an inning of outfield action since 2018.・ Beating work.brothers signed Matt Carpenter We got a two-year warranty early in the offseason and we’re looking at putting him in the DH pretty often as it stands. Carpenters can take into account infield positions that are not shortstops, and add some insurance to the corner outfield as well.
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