http://goo.gl/jxcMfL
Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz is close to a deal with the Orioles, according
to people familiar with the deal.
The Cruz signing, once finalized, would be the second major signing within
days for Baltimore, which is obviously going for it now. The Orioles will
have one of the better lineups in baseball once Cruz is in the fold.
There are still a couple issues to be resolved, according to sources, though
a deal looks extremely likely.
The Orioles also had been talking to Kendrys Morales, another free agent
hitter. Morales had other opportunities, though, including the Mariners and
possibly the Pirates.
Reports suggested Morales was a strong possibility throughout the day Friday,
but Orioles decision makers were "split" on Cruz vs. Morales, Roch Kubatko of
MASN @masnRoch reported Friday night. One possible difference is that Cruz
may not have had many other alternatives.
The Orioles also have remained in contact with top free-agent pitcher Ervin
Santana, though it hasn't known how a Cruz signing would affect a possible
Santana deal.
Cruz had 27 home runs with 76 RBI and a .266 batting average in barely more
than two-thirds of a season last year, yet like a lot of other free agents
who had qualifying offers and thus a draft choice attached, found the
free-agent market slow. Cruz has an excellent clubhouse reputation, but he
also had the Biogenesis-related PED suspension last year that cost him 50
games and hurt the Rangers' playoff chances.
Cruz was one of the top hitters on the free agent market but his free agency
was clearly affected by the draft choice. The Mets were among teams to show
early interested before opting for Curtis Granderson. The Orioles were
willing to give up a second-round pick after surrendering the first-rounder
for top starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez.
根据Jon Heyman的消息,金鸟似乎也快跟Nelson Cruz达成合约协议了
另外与Ervin Santana仍有连结
金鸟是想说反正第一轮都没了,干脆玩大的狂拉尾盘吗?(水兵哭哭...)
1年800万+750K激励,这...跳楼大拍卖了