Designated journalist Nelson Cruz and Minnesota twins agree to a $ 13 million one-year contract, sources familiar with Jeff Passan’s agreement told ESPN.
Cruz, 40, was a key figure in the Bomba Squad Twins. And it will return right in the middle of it in 2021.
The slugger, who hit .303 with 16 home runs, 33 RBIs and a career OPS + (169) in the short-lived pandemic season, finished sixth in the American League MVP vote and was selected as Marvin Miller Man of the Year at the annual Players Choice Awards.
The prize goes to the player whom his colleagues “respect the most based on his leadership on the field and in the community”. Cruz donated a fire truck and an ambulance and helped build a police station in his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz in the Dominican Republic, and his Boomstick 23 Foundation helped with wheelchairs and crutches and set up a clinic. to provide medical and dental care. care.
His mission to help his hometown and other cities in the Dominican Republic led him to receive the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at ESPYS in 2020.
The designated player played a $ 12 million deal last season after winning 41 home teams, hitting 108 RBIs in 2019, despite two innings on the injured roster due to a wrist problem. of the hand. He hit the 40-point mark four times in his career; Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth hold the all-time record with five seasons. Cruz was also the 57th major player in major league history to reach 400 careers at home.
His OPS .992 in 2020 ranked fourth in AL and was the fifth-best mark in a player’s MLB history in his season of age 39 or older, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. And he led all major leagues with 1,182 OPS on the field in the attacking zone in the last two seasons.
From 2014 to 2018, no major player managed more home runs than Cruz (203). In 16 major league seasons, Cruz, a six-time All-Star Silver Slugger, managed 417 home runs with 1,152 RBIs and a .278 batting average for twins, sailors, orioles, Rangers and Brewers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.