Recently Retired Padres Slugger Joins Rival Dodgers in Front Office Role

The one-year Friar is joining San Diego's biggest rival

Former San Diego Padres power-hitter Nelson Cruz is reportedly joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in a front-office role as an advisor, per Tenchy Rodriguez via Twitter.

Atención: El dominicano Nelson Cruz acordó con los @Dodgers para ser parte de su organización como asesor, oficialmente Nelly tiene trabajo después de retirado. pic.twitter.com/pJgG7RXHQv

— Tenchy Rodriguez (@TenchyRodNYC) November 29, 2023

The 43-year-old will mainly work from the team's academy in his home country of the Dominican Republic, and serve as an advisor to the LA front office.

Cruz retired following the 2023 season, his first and last season with the Friars. He spent 19 years in the league, and in his lone season with San Diego, he slashed .245/.283/.399 with a .681 OPS but was only able to muster 49 games and 143 ABs. 

Cruz panned out an incredible career for himself, becoming a seven-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and earning an ALCS MVP in 2011.

The Padres were hoping Cruz would bring some of that experience with him to the Padres, but unfortunately, his age got the best of him.

Cruz has always been loved everyone he went, and has quickly found his next career following the end of his baseball career.

While it would've been nice for Cruz to not have joined a division rival, We wish him the best in his next journey in Los Angeles, where we know he will kill it!