MLB Free Agents 2014: Minnesota Twins Could Sign Nelson Cruz, Bronson Arroyo Surprised With Lack Of Offers
- Paul John Rivera
- Jan 30, 2014 06:05 PM EST
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Nelson Cruz is one of the few marquee players left unsigned only a few weeks before 2014 MLB Spring Training begins, but the free agent veteran could find a new team soon.
Darren Wolfson of ESPN, citing a source close to the situation, revealed that the Minnesota Twins could put themselves in the mix for the former Texas Rangers outfielder.
While signing the 33-year-old outfielder appears to be a long shot at this point due to the high asking price, the Twins have been closely monitoring the situation with sources saying that the Twins have seen the veteran swing this winter.
Sources said that the despite coming from a controversy-marred season with the Rangers, the Twins view the eight-year veteran as a huge boost to their offense, as proven by his numbers last season.
Cruz had 76 RBIs and 27 home runs in 109 games for the Rangers before being involved in a highly-publicized MLB biogenesis scandal that led to a 50-game suspension.
The Twins are not expected to have a walk in the park in their pursuit for Cruz, though, as Fox Sports reported again the Seattle Mariners are seriously considering signing Cruz along with closer Fernando Rodney to reunite the two free agents with Dominican Republic teammate Robinson Cano.
"The Seattle Mariners suddenly are back in business, showing strong interest in free-agent outfielder Nelson Cruz and closer Fernando Rodney, according to major-league sources. Cruz, Rodney and new Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano were teammates last spring during the Dominican Republic's march to the World Baseball Classic title," Fox Sports noted.
Meanwhile, free agent pitcher Bronson Arroyo expressed disappointment over the lack of interest he is getting from teams this offseason.
Arroyo, who went 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA and 124 strikeouts for the Cincinnati Reds last season, remains unsigned, but he is not getting the attention similar to what Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez are drawing from several teams, and the 36-year-old admitted that he is starting to get frustrated with the turn of events.
The 14-year veteran said that at least 12 teams have inquired about his availability, but no team has given in to his asking price. But while the situation is already getting to his head, the righthander said that he has no plans to settle for lesser money.
"I don't know what to do. I'm not trying to break the bank. But I am a guy who's performed for the last 10 years as consistently as anybody in the game. And for some reason, nobody's thrown me an offer yet," Arroyo lamented in an ESPN interview.
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