Report: Free agent Nelson Cruz wants four-year deal
Free-agent designated hitter Nelson Cruz is seeking a contract of at least four years, reports CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.
According to Heyman, Cruz wants “big bucks” in his next deal, but the Baltimore Orioles were willing to give Cruz a two-year deal with a significant pay raise as well as extending the $15.3 qualifying offer for next season.
Cruz made $8 million last season with the Orioles, after spending the previous eight seasons with the Texas Rangers. He was suspended for 50 games in 2013 after his ties to the now-closed Biogenesis clinic.
Cruz, 34, had a huge season for Baltimore, leading the major leagues with 40 home runs and ranking fourth in RBI with 108 (both career highs), helping Baltimore win the American League East and advance to the ALCS, where they were swept by the Kansas City Royals.
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Cruz said in September that he would like to stay with the team and would wait until the season is over to start talking with the team about a possible contract.
In nine MLB seasons, Cruz, a three-time All-Star, is a career .268 hitter with 197 home runs and 597 RBI.
Heyman also says the team is discussing a possible deal with outfielder Nick Markakis, with talks said to be "progressing."
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