MLB Rumors: Nelson Cruz In Talks With Seattle Mariners To Join Robinson Cano In Revamped Lineup

As pitchers and catchers begin to report to their respective teams ahead of the 2014 Major League Baseball season, multiple free agents remain available. Though highly coveted players including former New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, outfielder Curtis Granderson and former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shin-Soo Choo have already come off the market, coveted assets in shortstop Stephen Drew, outfielder Nelson Cruz and pitchers Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez remain available. The Seattle Mariners may have dropped a large amount of cash on Robinson Cano and closer Fernando Rodney during the winter but multiple reports indicate the club might not be done shopping just yet.

According to USA Today, the Mariners remain in the market for free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz, who spent the past 8 seasons with the Texas Rangers. Already adding Cano, Rodney, Logan Morrison and Corey Hart to the roster during the current offseason, Seattle is said to hold a high level of interest in the 33-year-old Cruz, with signs pointing to an eventual agreement between the two parties. Originally seeking a contract that would pay him upwards of $75 million, Cruz – who slugged 27 home runs and drove in 76 runs in 109 games last season – is expected to lower the personal price tag in order to finally latch on with an MLB club.

If Seattle were to sign the outfielder, who many believe will fit nicely in the middle of the Mariners lineup, the club would be forced to surrender a third round pick because Texas made a $14.1 million qualifying offer to the free agent. Along with his age, teams have been wary of signing the Dominican Republic native because they’re unsure of how he’ll play after sitting out part of the 2013 season for performance enhancing drug use. In addition to drawing strong interest from the Seattle Mariners, the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles remain two possible landing spots for Cruz, who would like to solidify a deal soon with Spring Training underway.

In 9 professional seasons, the two-time All-Star has driven in over 480 runs and launched 157 home runs while batting .268 for the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers.