Toronto Blue Jays Linked to Longtime Slugger on the Free Agent Market

After being released by the San Diego Padres this week, veteran slugger Nelson Cruz is reportedly drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays.

After being released by the San Diego Padres earlier this week, veteran slugger Nelson Cruz is drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Per Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet on social media:

As #BlueJays consider ways to add offensively, they’ve shown some interest in Nelson Cruz, per source. Cruz, 43, is a free agent after being DFA by Padres. Jays’ 40-man is full but they’ll need to open spots soon so some churn is coming.

As #BlueJays consider ways to add offensively, they’ve shown some interest in Nelson Cruz, per source. Cruz, 43, is a free agent after being DFA by Padres. Jays’ 40-man is full but they’ll need to open spots soon so some churn is coming.

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 14, 2023

So it's not a definite, but it's certainly a possibility.

The native of the Dominican Republic had five home runs and 23 RBI in a part-time role with San Diego. He was also hitting .245 while posting a .283 on-base percentage.

In addition to being a seven-time All-Star, he's a four-time Silver Slugger winner who has popped 464 career home runs.

He's in his 19th year in the big leagues with the Brewers, Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Rays, Twins, Nationals and Padres.

He hit 30 home runs or more in seven consecutive full seasons between 2014-2021. He also hit 16 in the shortened COVID season.

Cruz comes with significant upside as a bench bat for the Jays, or any other team, but the question will be if a team can afford to burn a bench spot on a guy who doesn't play any defense at all? That will remain to be seen, but given that he's receiving interest already, it's likely he'll latch on somewhere.

The Blue Jays open the second half of the season on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Toronto is 50-41 this season. 

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