It has been rumored throughout the offseason that the Seattle Mariners were the front-runners to land Nelson Cruz, and reports indicate that the club is now in heavy talks with the free agent outfielder.
According to SI.com, the Mariners and Cruz are getting into serious discussions while Seattle is also interested in obtaining closer Fernando Rodney.
The Mariners look to continue their successful offseason by adding Cruz to a revamped lineup that includes second baseman Robinson Cano, who the team landed on a 10-year $240 million deal earlier this offseason.
Cruz played in 109 games last season and hit .266 with 27 homers and 76 RBIs while he also sat out a 50-game suspension for his connection to the Biogenesis clinic and PEDs.
SI.com reports that Cruz is seeking a long-term deal. It has been a tough offseason for Cruz as his tie to the Biogenesis clinic as well as the fact that he is also connected to draft pick compensation have made his list of suitors small until talks heated up recently.
Any team that drafts Cruz will have to forfeit a pick in the MLB Draft, but Seattle will only have to give up their third selection since their first-round pick is protected and they forfeited their second-rounder to the Yankees when they signed Cano.
According to CBS Sports, the Mariners are willing to offer two years to Cruz, 33, while they are also flexible on adding a third year. Cruz has also received interest from the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers while a return to the Texas Rangers is also not out of the question, though the Rangers are only reportedly interested in bringing him back on a one-year deal.
The Mariners are also interested in Rodney, who went 5-4 with a 3.38 ERA and 37 saves for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Rodney is seeking $15 million over two years, according to SI.com.
The Mariners haven't made the playoffs since 2001, and they finished 71-91 in 2013 and fourth in the AL West. Cruz is a lifetime .268 hitter with 157 homers and 489 RBIs.
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