The Seattle Mariners clearly aren't done stocking their shelves with increased talent to surround major free agent get Robinson Cano, but the supposed target, outfielder Nelson Cruz, has apparently been put "on hold."
Sources say that Seattle's pursuit of another big bat has taken a back seat in the face of news that Hisashi Iwakuma is going to miss the next four to six weeks with a strained finger, while top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker is reportedly experiencing some shoulder soreness.
MLBdailydish.com reports that Cruz's salary demands are currently a bit too high, and that Mariners brass is shifting their energy on signing Ervin Santana, who had one of the best years of his career in 2013 for the Kansas City Royals.
Santana was just 9-10 last year, but his record belied some very nice stats. He posted a career-low 3.24 ERA with 161 strikeouts and a vastly improved 2.2 walks per nine innings, down from 3.1 the prior season.
With injuries in their rotation, Santana makes a little more sense than Cruz at the moment, and he has fewer question marks attached to him for a lower price.
Cruz has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and missed 50 games in 2013 due to a performance-enhancing drug suspension. Outside of 2012 Cruz has never played in more than 128 games and will start the season as a 33-year-old.
Players Cruz's age rarely get lengthy, big-money deals, and the ones who do are generally not as limited in the field as Cruz. He would represent a likely upgrade over the current trifecta, which includes Michael Saunders, converted infielder Dustin Ackley and Logan Morrison, but his price tag and baggage may prove too great.
In the event the M's fail to land Santana, they have also shown some interest in Ubaldo Jimenez and left-hander Chris Capuano.
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