SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have signed slugger Nelson Cruz to a four-year contract, adding a much-needed right-handed power hitter to their lineup.
Seattle announced the signing Thursday morning. Cruz was to be introduced at a news conference later in the day.
“He will be an asset on the field and in the clubhouse,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. “Nelson’s presence in our clubhouse and as a teammate will continue to help our club advance to the next level.”
Cruz led the major leagues with 40 home runs last season and had 108 RBI for Baltimore, which signed him to an $8 million, one-year deal. He served a 50-game suspension in 2013 for violations of the major-league drug agreement in relation to the sport’s Biogenesis investigation.
He likely will bat behind fellow Dominican star Robinson Cano, who will be starting the second season of a $240 million, 10-year contract.
“I am excited to join the Mariners,” Cruz said in a statement. “Watching Seattle play from the other side of the field, I know how close this team is to the postseason, and I am hopeful that I can help to get us there.”
Seattle missed the playoffs by one game last season.
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