Nelson Cruz officially joined the Twins on Wednesday after the team announced the signing of the 38-year-old free agent designated hitter.
Cruz plugs into an everyday hole _ and might play some games in the outfield _ in the lineup after playing 144 games for Seattle last season.
He hit .256 with 37 home runs and 97 RBIs and made the American League All-Star team for the second consecutive season and the sixth time in his career.
"Last year when we went to Minnesota I was thinking ahead," Cruz said in a conference call. "I was thinking that could be a good team for me, they have a lot of young guys with good talent. ... I guess I can predict the future and I'm part of the Minnesota Twins now."
The contract for "Boomstick" is a one-year deal, with a second year team option, worth a guaranteed $14.3 million. He will earn $14 million in 2019 with a club option worth $12 million for 2020, or a $300,000 buyout.
"Not just what he's done on the field ... but who he is as a person ... what he can add to our clubhouse, we feel he's a perfect fit for this organization," said Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey. "We've added a player who will have significant impact."
The 14-year-veteran leads major leaguers with 203 home runs and is second with 522 RBIs since the start of the 2014 season, a year where he led the AL in home runs while with Baltimore.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he's considering playing Cruz in the outfield, even though he has only nine appearances there, all in right, over the past two seasons.
"Playing the outfield is something I'm excited for," Cruz said. "You're not going to get a hit every day, but if you play the outfield, you can make a difference. I'm eager for that challenge too."
Said Baldelli: "It's rare that you get to add a bat, a player, like Nelson into the mix. You are going to work with the skill set of the players you have, but when you can pencil his name into the middle of the lineup on a regular basis, that's something you have to take advantage of.
"This is a talented hitter who also happens to have a lot of power. The offensive player in Nelson is very impressive to watch, and now it's on our side, and not watching from the other side."
Despite not becoming a regular in a major league lineup until he was 28, Cruz has the fourth most home runs (360) among active players, trailing Albert Pujols (633), Miguel Cabrera (465) and Edwin Encarnacion (380).
The Twins were 23rd in the majors in home runs last season with 166. Cruz' presence in the lineup _ he has a slugging percentage of at least .500 and on base-plus-slugging percentage of .800 or more in each of the past six seasons _ means added power for a team that also added former 30-home run hitters Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron.
"Even before I was a free agent, I was thinking it could be a right fit because of the talent they have, it reminded me of when I was with the Rangers a few years back." Cruz said. "I think we are on the right pace now, with all the talent we have, if we stay healthy, we can do a lot of good things as a team."
Cruz was suspended for 50 games in 2013 after being connected to a performance-enhancing drug scandal.
"I can be through a lot of stuff and be pretty calm," Cruz said. "You learn from that stuff and get a positive from that, and from that mistake, I did. I'm a better person and a better human being, and I understand more about the game."
_The Twins will need to drop a player from their 40-man roster to make room for Cruz. Falvey said that player has not yet been informed.
_Asked if he was surprised to sign at a relatively bargain price, Cruz said, "The market is what it is. I'll never complain about the market. I'll always let my agent do the job and I'll focus on what I can control and play baseball."
_Catcher Mitch Garver, who wore No. 23, will give it to Cruz and take No. 18. When asked about possible monetary negotiations for the number, Cruz joked, "We are very close."
_Cruz said he would have to apologize to Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey, who gave up a 493-foot home run to Cruz _ longest in Target Field history _ in 2016. Cruz said it's the longest home run he can remember hitting.
