Texas Rangers expect Cruz to decline offer, make offer to Colby Lewis

Aug 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz (17) warms up in the on deck circle against the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at O.Co Coliseum. The Rangers defeated the Athletics 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Last season the Texas Rangers watched outfield power house Josh Hamilton walk away from the organization and sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after reaching the World Series two years in a row.

This season after failing to get past the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round, Nelson Cruz may the next slugger to walk away from the team.

According to Jeff Wilson on Twitter, the Texas Rangers submitted their qualifying to Cruz and expect him to turn it down. It doesn’t mean they don’t have a shot at re-signing him, but he may not get the deal he could be looking for after the league found out his name was on that Biogensis list.

The deal that they could still offer him, could be enough for him to come back to Texas for several more years.

Now with Cruz expecting to decline their offer, the Rangers submitted an offer to pitcher Colby Lewis. Lewis was shut down for the 2013 season back in early August due to elbow and hip surgeries. According to Jeff Wilson, the deal they submitted to him was a minor league deal.

#Rangers expect Nelson Cruz to turn down qualifying offer Monday and seek multiyear deal. "I'm sure we'll stay in touch," Jon Daniels said.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) November 8, 2013

#Rangers have made contract offer, likely a minor-league deal, to RHP Colby Lewis, but he will see what else is out there.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) November 8, 2013

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