Nelson Cruz accepts one-year contract with Twins (sources)

MINNEAPOLIS – It took until February, but the twins finally got their man back. Nelson Cruz is back in Minnesota on a one-year, $ 13 million contract, pending a physical exam, sources told MLB.com on Tuesday night. It took longer than expected for the deal to be done considering both parties

MINNEAPOLIS – It took until February, but the twins finally got their man back.

Nelson cruz is back in Minnesota on a one-year, $ 13 million contract, pending a physical exam, sources told MLB.com on Tuesday night. It took longer than expected for the deal to be done, as both parties expressed interest in a meeting immediately after the end of the 2020 season. But in the end, Cruz found himself still reunited. in Minneapolis, where he made a huge mark for two seasons as a fan favorite and team focal point.

• Monitoring of hot stoves

It was a meeting that made sense for both sides. Cruz has been the Twins’ leading hitter for the past two seasons and has provided consistent power and averaging from the heart of the roster, appearing prominently in the 2019 “Bomba Squad” which set the MLB record in a season for circuits. Cruz also made it known that he liked his situation in Minnesota, where he was on a rival roster and felt comfortable with the organization and the clubhouse.

Even though he crossed the 40-year mark, Cruz showed no signs of slowing down at plate – and, in fact, resumed his performance on several levels.

Cruz initially signed with the Twins ahead of the 2019 season and posted two of the best seasons of his career, leading the club in the circuits and OPS in both campaigns as the Twins won back-to-back Central American League championships. His OPS + scores of 168 and 169 over the past two seasons were the best scores of his career (excluding the 2008 season where he only played 31 games) and he received national recognition with Silver Slugger Awards both seasons and a pair of top 10 in Vote for the AL MVP award.

In two seasons at Minnesota, Cruz hit .308 / .394 / .626 with 57 home runs in 173 games. After receiving $ 14million in 2019, it wasn’t a difficult decision for the Twins to exercise their $ 12million club option for 20 – and bring it back to a similar price in 21.

It is even more important to have Cruz in the Twins club as a leader for many young players on the very international roster, especially for his fellow Dominican slugger Miguel Sanó, who had the best season of his career in 19 under Cruz’s wing. and obtained a contract extension as a result.

The stability and voice that Cruz brings to the clubhouse could be even more vital this season, when the Twins could call up several of their best prospects for meaningful roles in what they hope will be a third-year playoff team. consecutive face to face. growing competition from the White Sox.

Cruz also matched the Twins’ focus on community service with his dedication to charitable efforts in the Dominican Republic, for which he won the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award and the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. 2020.

Still, it wasn’t a reunion that came quickly, especially given the uncertainty over whether the designated hitter would return to the National League for the 2021 season, which would have widened the market for teams seeking the services of Cruz. It’s a situation that appeared to gain more clarity on Monday, when the league announced that the MLB Players’ Association had rejected a 21 proposal that would have included both a delayed start to the season and universal DH, among other plans. The agreement with Cruz was made shortly after, Tuesday evening.

Cruz’s return is expected to primarily complement the Twins’ offense, who also added shortstop Andrelton Simmons on a one-year contract last week, pushing Jorge Polanco to second base and Luis Arraez to the vacant utility. Minnesota have also added right-hander Hansel Robles and left-hander JA Happ this offseason and could be in the market for extra pitching help to complete their offseason run.

The 2021 Twins are finally taking shape – with their most productive hitter finally back in the fray.