Nelson Cruz wants “about $75 million over four years”


If you thought the outrage about Jhonny Peralta getting a four-year, $53 million deal has been significant just imagine what happens if Nelson Cruz gets the contract he wants. Cruz, like Peralta, is a free agent after serving a 50-game Biogenesis suspension and Jon Heyman of reports that he’s seeking “about $75 million over four years.”

This morning Buster Olney of reported that the Mariners were interested in Cruz and now Heyman adds the Rangers, A’s, and Mets as other potential suitors.

Cruz turned down a qualifying offer from the Rangers that would have been worth $14.1 million for 2014 and apparently he made the right call despite being 33 years old coming off a suspension. He hit .266 with 27 homers and an .833 OPS in 109 games before the suspension and Cruz has an .823 career OPS that ranks 30th among all right-handed hitters with at least 2,000 plate appearances.