It was hard enough to see Nelson Cruz (along with many other Rangers) leave Texas but it’s going to be even stranger and harder to see him return to the American League West where he’ll play for the Seattle Mariners.
Pending a physical, the slugger is expected to sign a four-year, $57 million deal which also includes a signing bonus of $1 million.
Cruz, 34, spent the 2014 season with the Baltimore Orioles where he hit 40 home runs and finished third in the A.L. with 108 RBIs. Prior to that, in 2013, his final season with the Rangers, he was suspended for 50 games due to his involvement with biogenesis.
Cruz made his MLB debut in 2005 with the Milwaukee Brewers. A year later, he joined the Teas Rangers where he spent the next seven seasons. In his 10-year career, he has 197 home runs, 597 RBI and a batting average of .268.
The addition of Cruz adds a significant threat to the Mariners’ roster. Last season, Seattle tied for the 11th best offense in the A.L. with 634 runs scored. They were reportedly involved in trade discussions for Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes and others before signing Cruz who will help them compete with the other A.L. West teams.