The Minnesota Twins and free agent slugger Nelson Cruz agreed to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports.
The six-time All-Star's deal will be worth $14.3 million, and it will include a team option for 2020.
The veteran slugger has remained one of MLB's prolific power hitters over the past several seasons. During his four-year tenure with the Seattle Mariners, he slugged 163 homers and drove in 414 runs. Last season, he paced Seattle with 37 homers and had a .509 slugging percentage.
Cruz, 38, is a good fit for Minnesota. The veteran slugger should help with the development of Miguel Sano and is an upgrade over Tyler Austin and free agent signee C.J. Cron. He also fills the void left by Joe Mauer, who retired after the 2018 season, and Logan Morrison, whose club option was declined this winter.
Cruz, born July 1, 1980, will be 15 months older than new manager Rocco Baldelli, who was born on Sept. 25, 1981.
The deal also features a $12 million team option for 2020, according to the source. Yahoo Sports first reported that the two sides had agreed to a deal.
No player has hit more home runs over the past five seasons than Cruz, with 203, which is 15 more than Giancarlo Stanton. Cruz, 38, who is older than new Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (37), has averaged almost 153 games a year over that same period.
The Twins, who ranked 23rd in the majors last season with 166 home runs, have gone on the offensive this offseason. In addition to Cruz, Minnesota has added C.J. Cron (30 home runs in 2018) and Jonathan Schoop (21) to the roster.
Cruz, who admittedly likes to take an hour nap prior to games, continued to give nightmares to opposing pitchers as a DH with the Seattle Mariners in 2018.
"Once you find your comfort zone, you can do it," Cruz said during the season of his pregame napping habits. But the quote could just as easily apply to his hitting.
