Heyman: Cruz and O's agree on deal (1 - $8M)

Look out 364. Sorry I don't know how to do the twitter copy post.

https://twitter.com/jonheymancbs/status/437178708928253952

Here you go.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>sources: <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23orioles&src=hash">#orioles</a> closing in on a deal for nelson cruz. <a href="http://t.co/adBI1komTr">http://t.co/adBI1komTr</a></p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="

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Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz is close to a deal with the Orioles, according to people familiar with the deal.

The Cruz signing, once finalized, would be the second major signing within days for Baltimore, which is obviously going for it now. The Orioles will have one of the better lineups in baseball once Cruz is in the fold.

There are still a couple issues to be resolved, according to sources, though a deal looks extremely likely.

The Orioles also had been talking to Kendrys Morales, another free agent hitter. Morales had other opportunities, though, including the Mariners and possibly the Pirates.

Reports suggested Morales was a strong possibility throughout the day Friday, but Orioles decisionmakers were "split" on Cruz vs. Morales, Roch Kubatko of MASN @masnroch reported Friday night. One possible difference is that Cruz may not have had many other alternatives.

Looks like they're pretty close to an agreement. I've gotta say, if it's Cruz I hope it's cheap and 1-2 years.

Here you go.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>sources: <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23orioles&src=hash">#orioles</a> closing in on a deal for nelson cruz. <a href="http://t.co/adBI1komTr">http://t.co/adBI1komTr</a></p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="

">February 22, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Thank you fine sir.

Spending doesn't mean winning ie jays & marlins but how can we not be somewhat over excited? Go orioles still rather have morales though(no PED links)

I might actually puke if this comes to pass.

At the very least, I'll lose most of my respect for DD.

I too wanted Morales as he gave us some protection if Davis went down. But I'll trust DD on this one. I suspect it's a two year deal with an option for a third. I do like that a quality organization like Texas has nothing but great things to say about him. Sounds like a quality clubhouse guy as well.

Lookout 364!

I might actually puke if this comes to pass.

At the very least, I'll lose most of my respect for DD.

Could be worse you could be the Yankees where all the PEDs seem to circle around or flock to

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Well Morales must not want to take less than demanding then lol

Well Morales must not want to take less than demanding then lol

I have a feeling the Orioles are more interested in Cruz because of the price tag. They can probably get Cruz to take 1-2 years whereas Morales was much less likely to do so outside of a pillow deal, and no way he signs a 1 year deal for less than $10m.

It is interesting that the cavalry of rosenthal, morosi, et al have not chimed in.

If Roch heard Morales was a "definite no" last night, I wonder why he didn't report it. Seems like that's the thing reporters do, no?

[video=youtube_share;CWILhrSzw5o]

:scratchchinhmm:

It is interesting that the cavalry of rosenthal, morosi, et al have not chimed in.

Much like the folks over at MLBTradeRumors.com, they're probably sleeping in on a Saturday.

If Roch heard Morales was a "definite no" last night, I wonder why he didn't report it. Seems like that's the thing reporters do, no?

Legitimate question. These negotiations have lots of ups and downs and different sources say different things, so maybe he felt he didn't have enough confirmation to report. Back in the old days, most newspapers had a rule that you couldn't report based on anonymous sources unless you had verification from two sources. But I think Twitter has destroyed that standard.