Baltimore Orioles, Nelson Cruz to extend contract?
Last last spring, the Baltimore Orioles were able to get Nelson Cruz in a last minute, one-year deal for the right fielder from Texas. Since then both sides have expressed interested in continuing their relationship according to a report by CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.
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According to Heyman, a strong possibility exists where Cruz could forgo the free agency process and decide to sign up early for another contract with the Orioles. Baltimore scored Cruz on a one-year, $8 million deal before the season started, but will undoubtedly need to shell out much more cash to keep him in Baltimore while he currently leads the MLB with 34 home runs.
Cruz, 34, found a weak market last offseason due to a 50 game PED suspension that he had to serve in 2013 with the Texas Rangers. Now, Cruz has shown he’s very happy with Baltimore.
“It’s no secret it’s been a very positive experience for Nelson and the Orioles — though I don’t want to speak for them,” Cruz’s agent Adam Katz told CBS Sports. “He’s enjoyed every minute of it.”
Cruz leads the MLB in home runs and his .834 OPS ranks 11th in the AL, and his 88 RBI, which ranks fifth. Cruz will be a much desired bat in the lineup and he could end up anywhere with a multi-year deal. He’s undoubtedly shown happiness in Baltimore and we’ll see if he accepts Baltimore’s qualifying offer, which is estimated near $15 million.