Orioles seem to prefer Cruz to Morales

[Greg]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Orioles&src=hash">#Orioles</a> seem to prefer Cruz to Morales. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Mariners&src=hash">#Mariners</a> also figure for Cruz if they save on SP with Capuano. Talks with him, per <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS">@JonHeymanCBS</a>.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="

">February 18, 2014</a></blockquote>

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[CA-ORIOLE]

Uggh. Must be years/money. Not thrilled if true.

[Ripken]

Pfft. Misdirection. Surely we want Morales...

(crosses fingers)

[crawjo]

Not sure why everybody likes Morales more than Cruz. Their productivity seems very similar. Morales is younger but at this point we're probably not talking about a huge deal for either guy.

[Redskins Rick]

Not sure why everybody likes Morales more than Cruz. Their productivity seems very similar. Morales is younger but at this point we're probably not talking about a huge deal for either guy.

I think because of PEDs and Cruz, could be a reason for many.

[Birds08]

I believe Cruz can actually run which would be a plus hitting in front of Wieters.

[Austin]

I thought Morales was much better in the OBP department, but they are actually pretty similar there career-wise.

Both have had injury issues, but Cruz more of a lock to go on the DL every single year.

I think people have a knee-jerk negative reaction to Cruz because of his PED use, and how recently he was suspended. I don't disagree with that, it's probably why I prefer Morales. That, and I don't want to see Nelson Cruz attempt to play defense. I guess I wouldn't mind if they signed Cruz to DH depending on the contract.

[lovetoaster]

I believe Cruz can actually run which would be a plus hitting in front of Wieters.

He can run better than Morales, but neither is very swift.

[CaptainRedbeard]

They're nearly identical offensive players, Cruz is projected for about a 113 wRC+ while Morales for a 118 wRC+, but Cruz won't give as much back in baserunning. Cruz can at least pretend to play some corner OF, which will be nice next year if Markakis leaves via FA, but he's 3 years older and by no means a good defender.

Our lineup is pretty balanced with RH vs LH hitters so I'll take the one that comes on the best contract. It comes down to how much you care about Cruz's PED use and more advanced age. Then again, Morales had that horrific leg injury and is not a very fit guy so he probably won't age all that well. I'd prefer Morales slightly, but I'd be happy with either. Now that we've given up the 1st rounder we really should end up with one of the two.

[Bahama O's Fan]

Is Cruz a rightie and Morales a switch hitter? Don't we have enought RH hitting DH candidates?

[Night Owl]

Morales would be a left handed bat behind Davis.

[Frobby]

Cruz scares me for two reasons. First, he's a .912 OPS hitter at home and .734 hitter on the road, and thus largely a creature of the Ballpark at Arlington. Second, the PED suspension -- who knows if he'll be the same player when he returns, or whether he'll get suspended again?

[fearthenoodle]

Cruz should be cheaper. Honestly, the first thing I think when I read that (if it's true), is that maybe Duquette thinks he can add a LHH via trade (along the lines of Ike Davis perhaps).

[25 Nuggets]

Correct; also Morales has a better career split as a LH against RH pitchers:

vs RHP as LHB: .286/.340/.499 (.839)

vs LHP as RHB: .262/.311/.425 (.736)

This would still leave a spot open for one of the righties.

[Orioles4Life21]

Cruz scares me for two reasons. First, he's a .912 OPS hitter at home and .734 hitter on the road, and thus largely a creature of the Ballpark at Arlington. Second, the PED suspension -- who knows if he'll be the same player when he returns, or whether he'll get suspended again?

Is the Ballpark at Arlington that much more hitter friendly than Camden Yards?