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The San Diego Padres and Nelson Cruz are reportedly in settlement on a 1-year deal.
Veteran slugger Nelson Cruz and the San Diego Padres are in settlement on a one-year, $1 million contract, sources inform ESPN. Cruz, 42, is getting into his nineteenth season and may get ample DH at-bats. He’ll additionally function GM of the Dominican Republic staff within the World Baseball Basic.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 11, 2023
San Diego was beforehand rumored to have an interest within the veteran designated hitter, however nothing was official. This reported deal gives the Padres with a right-handed slugger who can DH or come off the bench in a pinch-hitting position.
Nelson Cruz may find yourself platooning with Matt Carpenter, who not too long ago inked a deal in San Diego as properly. Carpenter is a left-handed hitter who will primarily face right-handed pitching. In the meantime, Cruz’s capability to hit left-handed pitching from the right-side bodes properly for the Padres. Cruz may even see a while within the outfield. However the 42-year outdated is finest fitted to a DH position at this level in his profession.
He endured a down season with the Washington Nationals throughout the 2022 marketing campaign. Cruz in the end slashed simply .234/.313/.337 with a .651 OPS and 10 residence runs in 124 video games. Nevertheless, it is a participant who is just one 12 months faraway from clubbing 32 residence runs between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays. Cruz was an All-Star in 2021 as properly. Maybe enjoying for a contender in San Diego will assist Nelson Cruz bounce again.
The Padres want to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the Nationwide League West division title. LA cruised to a division win final 12 months. San Diego did upset the Dodgers within the 2022 MLB playoffs, nevertheless. Following the Padres’ profitable low season that has seen them signal star Xander Bogaerts and different key depth items, they’re able to make one other playoff run.
The San Diego Padres are +120 to win the NL West in response to MLB betting sites. Including an influence bat like Nelson Cruz bodes properly for his or her probabilities to win the division.
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