Did the Seattle Mariners almost sign Nelson Cruz last winter?

By Ed Carroll | Oct 10, 2014

Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports /

Nelson Cruz signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles late last offseason, and has hit 40 home runs for the AL East champs, but a report has surfaced indicating Cruz almost signed with the Seattle Mariners.

Nelson Cruz languished for most of last offseason on the free agent market, tied down by the draft pick compensation attached to him by the Texas Rangers and questions after his 50-game performance enhancing drug suspension to end his 2013 season. The Baltimore Orioles, having already surrendered a draft pick for signing Ubaldo Jimemez, decided to take a gamble on Cruz for one year, at $8 million. Cruz has gone on to slug 40 home runs for the Orioles, but a report has surfaced that the Seattle Mariners were close to a one-year deal with Cruz with an option before the deal fell apart.

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Bob Dutton of The News Tribute reports the Mariners had an deal in place with Cruz for a one-year salary of $7.5 million for 2014, and a $9 million team option for 2015, but ownership backed out of the agreement due to the concerns with how Cruz would respond returning from his suspension for involvement with the Biogenesis drug clinic.

Dutton is relatively new to the Mariners beat, leaving the Kansas City Star last winter to cover the Mariners, so he wasn’t around Seattle to cover last year’s free agency, and Dutton reports that a rival club official said teams were told the deal between Cruz and Seattle was “done,” and he didn’t know what happened to make the deal fall apart.

The Mariners ended up missing the playoffs by one game, and their offense especially struggled down the stretch. Seattle still has a need for a power hitter, and an unnamed Mariners official said not to rule out the team trying to sign Cruz again this winter, assuming he doesn’t sign an extension with Baltimore.

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