Orioles agree to terms with Cruz
The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to terms with outfielder/DH Nelson Cruz, according to multiple news outlets. Cruz will get a one-year deal worth $8 million plus incentives. Cruz is a veteran player that will add stability to the DH position and is coming off a season where he hit 27 home runs.
The Orioles will have to give up their second-round pick for Cruz and will not have a pick in the first two rounds of the draft. Losing a draft pick is not a bad thing because the Orioles could get a better pick next season if Cruz becomes a free agent again.
To me this is a low-risk high-reward move, Cruz has already faced his suspension from being involved with steroids and will have motivation to cash in big next season. I really like this move and I think it makes the Orioles a much better team. Last season the Orioles struggled to find a good DH, that should not be a problem now with Cruz in the position.
In other news Liam Hendricks was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. Hendricks was placed on waivers to make room for Ubaldo Jimenez. The Orioles have had a busy week signing key players.
As always this deal is pending a physical.
Here is a tweet from Brittany Ghiroli about the deal.
Orioles, Cruz agree to one-year, $8 million deal http://t.co/dCZSDoHlmo
— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) February 22, 2014
