Baseball Notes: Cruz agrees to 4-year deal with Mariners
Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz and Seattle have agreed on a contract, according to El Caribe in the Dominican Republic. The $57 million, four-year deal had not been finalized and was pending a physical.
Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz and Seattle have agreed on a contract, according to El Caribe in the Dominican Republic. The $57 million, four-year deal had not been finalized and was pending a physical.
The Mariners did not comment.
Cruz led the majors with 40 home runs last season and had 108 RBIs for Baltimore. He served a 50-game suspension in 2013 for violations of the drug agreement in relation to MLB's Biogenesis investigation.
He likely will bat behind fellow Dominican star Robinson Cano.
Cruz did not accept a $15.3 million qualifying offer from the Orioles. Seattle would forfeit its first-round draft pick, the 19th overall selection. Baltimore would get an additional pick between the first and second rounds.
The Mariners have among the top pitching staffs in the AL but missed the postseason by one game last season due to offensive shortcomings.
Rays trade utilityman. Tampa Bay traded utilityman Sean Rodriguez to the Pirates for a player to be named and cash. Rodriguez played every position except pitcher and catcher for the Rays during the past five seasons. He appeared in 96 games this year, batting .211 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs.
ADHD epidemic. While 113 big leaguers had exemptions in the past year to use otherwise banned substances to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Adderall caused eight of the 10 positive tests for stimulants under Major League Baseball's drug program. A report released Monday by MLB's independent program administrator detailed the findings.