Mariners Rumors: Seattle Targeting Nelson Cruz, Matt Kemp

By Hayden Kane | Nov 18, 2014

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning in game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

The Seattle Mariners made a big push and fell just short of the MLB playoffs in 2014. Now they are looking to bolster their offense to return as contenders in 2015.

Right-handed power. Teams everywhere want it, but the Seattle Mariners are downright desperate to find it.

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After signing Robinson Cano last winter, Seattle’s attempts to find right-handed power ranged from sad to downright depressing. Corey Hart could not stay healthy enough to matter. Switch-hitting Kendrys Morales never wanted to return after rejecting a qualifying offer from the Mariners, only to be forced to return via trade mid-season. His lack of production was disastrously awful. That gives you an idea of how things went.

So here the Mariners are, once again, searching for another bat to pair with Cano and Kyle Seager in order to build an offense to match their outstanding pitching staff. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Mariners have set their sights high in that search this off-season. Namely, they will target free agent Nelson Cruz or a trade for Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Matt Kemp:

"As the Mariners continue their search for a right-handed hitter, they are more interested in signing free agent Nelson Cruz or trading for the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp than signing free agent Hanley Ramirez."

Here is your daily reminder that any team could have had Cruz last off-season before the Baltimore Orioles signed him to a one-year, $8 million deal.

Either play would be costly, whether in terms of money, draft pick compensation, players traded, or some combination thereof. But it sounds like the Mariners are persuaded enough by their success in 2014 that they believe they are in a position to pay that price in order to win right now.

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