Nelson Cruz to Mariners: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

Three-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz has been one of the hottest names on the free-agent market in the offseason. After hitting a career-high 40 home runs and 108 RBI in 2014 with the Baltimore Orioles, Cruz has opted to leave the club for Seattle. The team announced the deal on Thursday:

Baltimore extended Cruz a one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer before the Nov. 10 deadline to accept, and the veteran designated hitter and outfielder declined, agreeing to a 4-year, $58 million deal  with the Mariners, according to Bob Dutton of the Seattle News Tribune:

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 Let there be no mistake. Newcomer Nelson Cruz will bat cleanup next season in the Mariners’ lineup and spend most of his time as the designated hitter.

“If you look at the numbers,” manager Lloyd McClendon said, “we were last in baseball in (production from our) No. 4 hitters. Our DH was 14th out of 15. This guy’s track record addresses that.”

The Mariners confirmed their four-year deal with Cruz, 34, prior to a Thursday morning news conference at Safeco Field. The $58 million package became official after his passed a routine pre-signing physical examination.

“I am excited to join the Mariners,” Cruz said. “Watching Seattle play from the other side of the field, I know how close this team is to the post-season, and I am hopeful that I can help to get us there.”

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 Cruz talked about wanting to win a World Series in Seattle, according to Fox Sports' MLB Twitter feed:

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com had reported that Cruz was seeking a lucrative four-year deal, and the Orioles were rather reluctant to make that type of investment in the 34-year-old. It didn't help that the front office had nine free agents to make tough decisions on, either.

MLB.com highlighted how Cruz turned it on in the playoffs, giving him greater leverage in contract negotiations:

Complicating matters more was Cruz's public testimony that he wanted to keep wearing an Orioles jersey, per the Los Angeles Times' Eduardo A. Encina:

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I want to come back no doubt. Just wait and see what happens. [...] Yeah, I love the clubhouse. I love all my teammates. The whole organization is great from top to bottom, even the guys you don't see every day. They are amazing. They treat us the right way...It makes every game more easy for you. They find a way to get it done. I appreciate that.

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Injuries to precocious third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Matt Wieters didn't stop Baltimore from winning the American League East division this last season. Unfortunately, the club ran out of steam amid an ALCS sweep at the hands of the streaking Kansas City Royals.

Now that negative momentum will carry over in light of the Orioles losing out on Cruz. However, Orioles fans can take solace in the fact that two big contributors in Machado and Wieters will be back to help compensate for Cruz's departure.

Seattle will hope that Cruz can carry forward the momentum of his 2014 campaign that exceeded all expectations. It is a risk to pay so much for an aging player, yet Cruz doesn't appear to be slowing down based on his most recent performance at the plate.