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SAN DIEGO – Longtime slugger Nelson Cruz has agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with the San Diego Padres, according to two people familiar with the deal.
The people spoke with The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.
Cruz, a right-handed hitter who turns 43 on July 1, is expected to platoon in the DH alongside 37-year-old left-handed hitter Matt Carpenter, who signed a one-year contract with the Padres last month.
Cruz is a seven-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and has hit 459 home runs in 18 seasons. He appeared in 124 games for Washington last year, hitting 10 homers and hitting 64 RBIs. He hasn’t played since Sept. 13 due to an eye condition that required offseason surgery. Cruise received his $3 million buyout after the Nationals Mutual rejected his option.
Cruz hit 18 postseason home runs and made consecutive World Series appearances with the Texas Rangers. San Diego advanced to his NL Championship Series last year before losing to Philadelphia.
With the Padres, Cruz reunites with former teammates Manny Machado and Juan Soto. Cruz is known for his veteran clubhouse presence and will be recognized for his personality, community involvement and philanthropic efforts while at Tampa Bay in 2021, earning a spot in the major leagues with his base. Ball’s Roberto won his Clemente Award.
Cruz will be the Dominican Republic’s general manager and player in this spring’s World Baseball Classic. Machado and Soto also play for the Dominican Republic.
Also on Wednesday, the Padres announced that suspended shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. will be one of the stars at Fanfest on February 4 at Petco Park. Tatis’ first public appearance since being suspended for 80 games on August 12 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Tatis is eligible to return on his April 20th.
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