MLB Trade Rumors: Seattle Mariners Could Get All-Star Slugger Nelson Cruz at Bargain Price

Power hitter Nelson Cruz is reportedly drawing interest from at least four teams this offseason, though his lucrative asking price appears to be too steep for these ball clubs--all except the Seattle Mariners.

Cruz, who batted .266 with 27 homers and 76 RBIs in perhaps his final season with the Texas Rangers, remains an interesting option in the free agency market, but front office executives are a little bit 'turned off' by his desired contract of $75 million over four years.

In the latest article by Boston Globe baseball analyst Nick Cafardo, acquiring Cruz is viewed as a high risk move for teams because he's considered more of a power hitter than a pure hitter.

"The feeling is Peralta is more of a pure hitter than a power hitter, and less risky," said a National League general manager, according to Cafardo. "Cruz hits for more power. Someone will sign him and take the chance, but Melky Cabrera is always in the back of your mind."

The St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals have shown interest in Cruz, but the Seattle Mariners emerged as the ideal destination for the slugger.

Getting Cruz at Bargain Price

Sports Illustrated Fan Sided stated that Cruz's power-hitting ability would complement the Mariners' $240 million acquisition, Robinson Cano. Though it's unlikely the Mariners will agree to his asking price, getting Cruz appears to be a solid move if the Mariners are determined to win their competitive division.

"Some of the speculatory talk died down following the team's subsequent additions of Corey Hart and Logan Morrison. There doesn't appear to be a logical place to slide Cruz into the lineup, barring another move (or two) to shuffle some existing pieces. That said, if the price is right there's little reason for the Mariners not to make such a move if they truly want to contend in what is looking like a very competitive division," stated Sports Illustrated FanSided.