Rangers, Nelson Cruz agree on two year contract

by Adam J. Morris on Feb 9, 2012 1:26 PM CST

The Rangers have apparently avoided arbitration with rightfielder Nelson Cruz, agreeing with him on a two year deal that is reportedly worth $16 million. That contract would take him through the 2013, after which he would become a free agent.

Nelson Cruz

#17 / Right Field / Texas Rangers

Height: 6-2

Weight: 240

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jul 01, 1980

The Rangers were offering $5.5 million in arbitration, with Cruz asking for $7.5 million. If we assume that they are splitting the difference, this would mean that Cruz is getting $6.5 million this year and $9.5 million in 2013.

Cruz has been a potent force in the Rangers lineup the past several years, but has also been plagued by leg injuries which have limited the time he's been able to be on the field. Cruz appeared in 124 games in 2011, and 108 games in 2010 after appearing in a career-high 128 games in 2009, his first full season as a starter on the major league level.

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Down to just Napoli.

Logically I agree that if he sees free agency his probably gone. But when we were trying for Fielder, I felt that the Rangers would have at least one of Fielder, Hamilton or Napoli in 2013. I still feel that way… and I think the odds are higher with Napoli.

My gut says we keep Napoli and let Hamilton walk.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 1:29 PM CST reply actions

That's what we should do.

We did a version of this (Summer Nights) in Cub Scouts with new words to talk about how awesome scouting was. Half of us were dressed up as girls

colonialbob

by mizzou918 on Feb 9, 2012 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

It all depends on how much Napoli is asking for

by RangersfaninROK on Feb 9, 2012 1:34 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

That's an excellent point

Football can go to hell. The Rangers aren't ready for football season and neither am I.

by WyoRanger on Feb 9, 2012 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

I think signing any of them requires an overpay...

Fielder has definitely proven that. I think the Rangers will do the overpay on Napoli because it will be the cheapest and least risky.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

So you think they're going to let Napoli play out this season and start negotiating with

him next November?

I’m leaving the door open until Opening Day but JD said the Rangers were planning on going with a one year deal per Naps.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

"Don't become the '82 Milwaukee Brewers."

"You want false modesty? F that."

by Josey Wales on Feb 9, 2012 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

Obvious troll is obvious.

You just can’t wait to use that next line can you?

Expectation is the root of all heartache. — William Shakespeare

by TheDutchOven on Feb 9, 2012 2:03 PM CST up reply actions

Stick said they're going to keep Napoli...when are those negotiations going to happen?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

"Don't become the '82 Milwaukee Brewers."

"You want false modesty? F that."

by Josey Wales on Feb 9, 2012 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

Did you know the Cruz and Andrus negotiations were happening???

You didn’t know shit until the reports came out that they agreed to these deals. We don’t know exactly what talks are going on with the team.

"If he ain't struck you out, then you ain't nobody." - Ricky Henderson after Nolan Ryan's 5,000 strike out game

by safeman on Feb 9, 2012 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

I knew both Cruz & Andrus were scheduled for arbitration and the Rangers

don’t like to go to arbitration so yeah, I felt like there was a good chance some form of negotiations were going on.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

"Don't become the '82 Milwaukee Brewers."

"You want false modesty? F that."

by Josey Wales on Feb 9, 2012 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Napoli is also scheduled for arb.

So do you agree that the team is probably in some sort of negotiation with him as well?

"If he ain't struck you out, then you ain't nobody." - Ricky Henderson after Nolan Ryan's 5,000 strike out game

by safeman on Feb 9, 2012 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

don't bother safeman....endless cycle

NO This is why i dont come here so much anymore. it has become a destination for certain types which i am not. Love the rangers, not this -- Mark from OC on Arrested Development

by shock00 on Feb 9, 2012 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

They're hating

I hate The Angels so much, it's actually cramping my style. (See RevHaloFans SBN profile page)

by Gay For Feliz on Feb 9, 2012 2:52 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

They're hating on you extra hard today

Ignore them

I hate The Angels so much, it's actually cramping my style. (See RevHaloFans SBN profile page)

by Gay For Feliz on Feb 9, 2012 2:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I think they already know what Napoli wants

But they weren’t ready to agree with at that point. Now that Fielder is gone Josh is on the “back burner” I think they’ll end up giving what he wants after the season. It may be even higher if he’s awesome again.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 2:45 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

What was your vote in the poll yesterday?

I hate The Angels so much, it's actually cramping my style. (See RevHaloFans SBN profile page)

by Gay For Feliz on Feb 9, 2012 2:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Over

Because I predicted .880 to .920, and .900 is right in the middle and slightly higher.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 3:07 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Heh

I’m thinking around .880

I hate The Angels so much, it's actually cramping my style. (See RevHaloFans SBN profile page)

by Gay For Feliz on Feb 9, 2012 3:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I feel like Napoli's confidence score would be one of the lowest on the team

when predicting his future stats. I think he could end up anywhere, although doubtfully better than last years numbers.

by Heebs on Feb 9, 2012 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

I can see him anywhere between .790 and 1.000

I hate The Angels so much, it's actually cramping my style. (See RevHaloFans SBN profile page)

by Gay For Feliz on Feb 9, 2012 4:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

My gut says we keep Hamilton at 5/100 and let Napoli walk, but I shared your intuition that either Fielder, Napoli, or Hamilton would be here past 2013.

PROVISO: If there does turn out to be something more nefarious about Hammy’s trip to Sherlock’s, then he’s gone and we likely overpay Napoli by a smaller amount than we’d otherwise overpay Hamilton.

"I have thought a lot about why people get so hostile online, and I have come to believe it is primarily because we live in a society with a hypertrophied sense of justice and an atrophied sense of humility and charity, to put the matter in terms of the classic virtues." --Alan Jacobs

by JDT217 on Feb 9, 2012 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

heyman posted yesterday hamilton is seeking 8 years 200 million

FWIW

"God dammit TAG I swear to God if you keep this "It was a close play" shit up all night I will send you cookies made from my own shit" -River Fenix 8/26/2011

"this is a big reason I decided not to convert to Islam now if it was 72 skanks? Different story, my friend" Bob Loblaw 9/2/2011

by I am Neftali Feliz on Feb 9, 2012 2:19 PM CST up reply actions

That's legit

by Jobu. on Feb 9, 2012 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

And I want a threesome with ScarJo and Jessica Alba

by JDT217 on Feb 9, 2012 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

exactly... im just saying.. thats what hamilton and his agent are thinking

for a contract.. so yeah.. good luck with that in FA

"God dammit TAG I swear to God if you keep this "It was a close play" shit up all night I will send you cookies made from my own shit" -River Fenix 8/26/2011

"this is a big reason I decided not to convert to Islam now if it was 72 skanks? Different story, my friend" Bob Loblaw 9/2/2011

by I am Neftali Feliz on Feb 9, 2012 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

if Josh is thinking that

then he is back on crack

by RangerMad on Feb 9, 2012 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

Actually, that's Heyman saying what Josh's agent told Heyman to say

Football can go to hell. The Rangers aren't ready for football season and neither am I.

by WyoRanger on Feb 9, 2012 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

I think Josh has a better chance at that

than he does at getting $200MM

by Heebs on Feb 9, 2012 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

If I had a dollar for every time I have had this exact thought

I’d be a very rich man

by nash4567 on Feb 9, 2012 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

Must be a crackhead!!

"If he ain't struck you out, then you ain't nobody." - Ricky Henderson after Nolan Ryan's 5,000 strike out game

by safeman on Feb 9, 2012 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

Gotta holt of da wrong stuff.

"If he ain't struck you out, then you ain't nobody." - Ricky Henderson after Nolan Ryan's 5,000 strike out game

by safeman on Feb 9, 2012 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

I'd agree with that

And I think the Rangers payroll and roster leaves that as a strong possibility. I don’t think that person is Hamilton that we re-sign at this point unless he is willing to take a very team friendly deal (highly unlikely), but Napoli could very well be that guy that the Rangers are willing to overpay to keep him here.

Josey Wales: "And if you think intangibles really do exist, how in the F could you vote Ellsbury as the MVP?"

Adam J. Morris: "If it weren’t for my horse, I wouldn’t have spent that year in college."

by Gdawg on Feb 9, 2012 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

These "extensions" mean nothing to me

by Jobu. on Feb 9, 2012 1:36 PM CST reply actions

They mean you have a pretty clear view of some budget elements.

If Cruz hits 45 HR next year he won’t suddenly get $13M.

But they don’t mean much in terms of really being wins for the Rangers. It’s just an uncomplicated way to get through arb years without angst.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

Sure, but any benefit in the situation you just described

is negated by the corresponding risk (if he plays 0 games in 2012, for instance).

by Jobu. on Feb 9, 2012 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

Did I say it was a net positive?

You said it meant “nothing” to you. It means something… it means we know what Cruz and Andrus will make next year no matter what.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 1:42 PM CST up reply actions

That fact means nothing to me.

I’m not sure why you’re up in arms about this.

by Jobu. on Feb 9, 2012 1:43 PM CST up reply actions

Lol... I'm not up in arms.

I’m just arguing semantics… you’re the damn lawyer.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

Shit. Forgot emotes.

Always need emotes. :)

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Feb 9, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

Heh

I’m sensitive to cold internet talk.

by Jobu. on Feb 9, 2012 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

Most of those contracts are insured.

I don’t think it helps the cap number, but it does help the cashflow number if he plays 0 games

by mattrpav on Feb 9, 2012 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

Chan Ho Park was more valuable to the team injured than playing because of that

by Inkara1 on Feb 9, 2012 1:54 PM CST up reply actions

I doubt Cruz's is insured or at least its costing a pretty good premium to cover him

Given his injury history and age

Elvis….yeah his is probably covered

by bigsteve on Feb 9, 2012 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

I think the risk is mitigated by the lack of acrimony incurred

I see teams going to arb. with good, young players over paltry amounts, and it just makes me shake my head. Look at the Marlins, for instance…they go to the mat for 300k. I just do not feel that sets up a “winning culture” for a team.

We’re not about sending messages. We’re about winning ballgames.-Wash, 04/03/11
Hell to the fucking no. -Wash, 10/07/11

by Rodney on Feb 9, 2012 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

Cost certainty is a good thing.

by JDT217 on Feb 9, 2012 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

Now hopefully he'll use that money to buy some bionic hamstrings so he can stay healthy

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Feb 9, 2012 1:38 PM CST reply actions

Nekkid summersaults

If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one pitcher to pitch a game to save my life.... I'd pick 1999 Rick Helling.

Dear Rangers, Make me forget about 2010.......

My Sports Stuff on Ebay

by matthewbschultz83 on Feb 9, 2012 1:49 PM CST reply actions

whoa Nellie

by RangerMad on Feb 9, 2012 2:10 PM CST reply actions

Is this OT?

Just saw we signed Conor Jackson. Are we excited about this, or is he just done?

"Look at our current situation with that camel f$%ker over in Iraq. Pacifism is not something to hide behind."

by Walter Sobchak on Feb 9, 2012 2:29 PM CST reply actions

just depth signing....if he turns it around then great...if not then whatever

NO This is why i dont come here so much anymore. it has become a destination for certain types which i am not. Love the rangers, not this -- Mark from OC on Arrested Development

by shock00 on Feb 9, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions