If the Texas Rangers are going re-sign free agent slugger Nelson Cruz, it's going to take more money than they'd probably planned.
Earlier this week, word came out that Cruz is seeking a four-year deal for $75 million. That came out after the St. Louis Cardinals signed lighter-hitting shortstop Jhonny Peralta to a four-year deal worth $52 million after both players were suspended for 50 games last season for their involvement in the Biogensis PED scandal.
Cruz will be 34 years old in July, so he's a few years older than Peralta, but the fact the Cardinals would give Peralta that kind of deal bodes well for the chances of Cruz getting his asking price.
The Rangers are reportedly still interested in bringing Cruz back, but it doesn't make a lot of sense if everything else we're hearing is true, mainly that the Rangers want to keep Mitch Moreland around and not deal him after trading for first baseman Prince Fielder.
All along, we thought the Rangers would be willing to go to perhaps a four-year deal worth $60 million for Cruz, but four for $75 just seems out of the Rangers' relatively conservation comfort zone, especially given Cruz's age and injury history.
Cruz was second on the team in home runs and RBIs last season despite missing the final 50 games of the regular season. He returned for the Rangers' Wild Card tiebreaker game against Tampa Bay and failed to record a hit against Rays ace David Price.
