[nfbwatlk] Mariners May Have Nelson Cruz

[Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)]

>From Shannon Drayer's blog:

There is no confirmation yet from the team, and there most likely will not be until a physical is passed, but multiple reports are stating that outfielder Nelson Cruz has agreed to a deal with the Mariners that is believed to be worth $57 million over four years. The deal was first reported by El Caribe, a newspaper in the Dominican Republic.
Cruz led the league in home runs last season, and according to a number of sources, he has been a target of the Mariners both this year and last. He fills a need the team has been trying to fill for some time, a right-handed power bat to put behind Robinson Cano in the order. Last spring, Cano himself expressed hope that the team would sign Cruz.
Cruz, who most likely will spend most of his time as the Mariners' designated hitter, hit .271/.333/.525/.859 and hit a Major League-leading 40 home runs for Baltimore last year. The Orioles were reportedly in the bidding until the end but would not go the fourth year.
While the price tag is steep, especially in years for a 34-year-old, the Mariners are able to add this piece without having to sacrifice any of their young pitching, which no doubt is their preference. There could be more moves on the horizon but they will not be forced to trade pitching to acquire bats.
The team is not commenting on the deal, which again is not yet official, but the Mariners appear to have made their second big move of the offseason.