(SportsNetwork.com) – The Seattle Mariners are apparently set to make yet
another splash in the free agent market, as reports indicate that slugger
Nelson Cruz has agreed to a multi-year contract.
The Mariners signed the top free agent position player available last December
when Robinson Cano left the New York Yankees for a reported 10-year, $240
million contract.
ESPN and the Dominican Republic publication El Caribe each reported that Cruz
has agreed to a four-year deal worth $57 million with the Mariners. The ESPN
report added that the veteran outfielder also will receive a $1 million
signing bonus.
Cruz spent the 2014 season in Baltimore, signing a one-year deal last February
in the wake of his 50-game suspension that stemmed from the Biogenesis scandal
in August 2013.
The 34-year-old Dominican native helped the Orioles to the American League
East title in 2014. He led the majors with 40 home runs and finished third in
the American League with a career-high 108 runs batted in while batting .271
in 159 games.
Cruz spent eight seasons with Texas from 2006-13 and also played eight games
for Milwaukee in 2005. He has 197 career home runs with 597 RBI, a .268
average and a .501 slugging percentage in 963 games.
A three-time All-Star, including last year, Cruz was also the 2011 ALCS MVP
for the Rangers when he slugged six homers and drove in 13 runs in a six-game
victory over Detroit.
