Look at Nelson Cruz

In the first two games of spring training Nelson Cruz hit a home run in each one of them. It looks like he is ready to go for another season.

It is amazing to think that this will be his third season with the Mariners and he has been well worth it. Sure means that time is going by so fast.

The thing about Cruz is not only has he been effective hitting home runs and driving in runs for the Mariners he is good in the clubhouse and in the community. He always has a smile on his face and along with Robinson Cano works well with the younger players. It is almost like they have another couple coaches on the staff.

Cruz will have one more year left on his current four year contract after this one. His first year with the Mariners he primarily played in right field and then last year was at designated hitter more than in the field. Most of his time in the field was during the first half since he did come down with some injuries. It was quite amazing during September though he was hurting a lot he still went to the plate as often as he could to see if the Mariners could make it into the playoffs which they just missed by. He didn’t play in the final game of the season since they were eliminated at that point.

This year the Mariners will primarily have him at designated hitter though he will get into some games in the field depending on how healthy he can stay. Again he will bat fourth in the lineup. The last three years has been his best years hitting forty or more home runs in each of them. With the Mariners he hit 44 in 2015 and 43 in 2016. It will be interesting to see if he can keep up with that another year. Although it would be nice to see another year in the forties I am sure we will take over thirty home runs long as he is able to stay healthy all year and the Mariners make the playoffs. He will be turning thirty-seven years old on July 1 and he will be thirty-eight when his contract expires. I am sure the Mariners will look to give another contract may be two years if he continues to contribute.

Robinson Cano will be turning thirty-five years old in October so it will be interesting to see if the Mariners will want both in the lineup at older ages in two years. Cano is on a long term contract so he will still be around for some time. His defense at second base was good as ever last year and he keeps himself in pretty good shape as well.

This all shows along with Felix and Iwakuma getting older it will be important that the Mariners make it into the playoffs and hopefully the World Series in the next two years. Knowing Dipoto he will look to improve the Mariners again during the next off-season as well. It is good that he is adding depth for this year and for the years to come. Go M’s.