Nelson Cruz - Finds work in San Diego Cruz (eye) agreed Wednesday with the Padres on a one-year deal, Hector Gomez of Z101Digital.com reports. Impact According to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, Cruz's deal is for just $1 million, with the 42-year-old's downturn in performance in 2022 along with his desire to play for a potential World Series contender resulting in him taking a $14 million paycut from the year prior. After several years of defying the aging curve, Cruz finally looked mortal in Washington last season, slashing .234/.313/.337 with a career-low .103 ISO and a 23.6 percent strikeout rate over his 504 plate appearances. The seven-time All-Star ended up missing the Nationals' final 20 games of the season and ultimately needed offseason surgery to address an infection in his left eye, but he should be ready to go for spring training. With San Diego, Cruz is likely to see most of his opportunities against left-handed pitching, perhaps as part of a platoon at designated hitter with the lefty-hitting Matt Carpenter. However, while Fernando Tatis serves a suspension for the first 20 games of the season, the Padres could look to have Carpenter play some left field, which would open up more at-bats for Cruz versus righties to begin the year.
JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE