Why The Reds Should Sign Nelson Cruz

Aug 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz (17) reacts after striking out against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at O.Co Coliseum. The Rangers defeated the Athletics 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Reds should sign Nelson Cruz. Yes that Nelson Cruz the convicted PED user who served a 50 game suspension. Many of you are probably shaking your head at me right now but give me one reason why you wouldn’t take Cruz. Nelson Cruz was an intricate part of the Texas Rangers World Series teams in 2010 and 2011. Why would you not want him?

Traditionalist and many Reds fans will cite his PED use and suspension. Valid point, anyone that has a tainted record should be looked at carefully, will he have the same production he had when he was using? Who knows but give him a chance to prove himself. Many will point out the Reds have stayed virtually completely clean during the steroid era and since. Yasmani Grandal is the only player with a link to the Reds that has been caught. I can see why fans would not want to associate with a  condemned cheater.

Everyone deserves a second chance, hell this is a city and a team that gave Josh Hamilton his second chance. When you look at Cruz’s numbers over the last three years he batted in the .260’s ever season, his on base percentage was above .310 each season as well. When you look at those numbers compared to those of the current Reds outfielders you have to give Cruz a chance.

Cincinnati has one solid outfielder going into this season in Jay Bruce, Bruce can play the field and hit. The Reds currently have Chris Heisey, Skip Schumaker and Billy Hamilton on the roster as well. All of them have their own strengths and weaknesses. Schumacher has a cannon for an arm, bat is respectable (.283, .276, .263) over the last three years, but he is on the decline. Heisey is a complex player, he shows signs he can be good but he isn’t an everyday player over the last three years his batting average has been .254, .265, .235. Hamilton has speed to kill, but his bat is questionable he has little major league experience, in 19 at bats last year he batter .368 not a justifiable comparison.

So now why would you not sign Cruz? He is good for at least 140 games a season, when he doesn’t start he would be a heck of a player to come off the bench. Not to mention he is a free agent who has garnered a little interest, meaning you could pick him up for cheaper than before his suspension, around maybe $5M a year, the Reds can afford that. That would excited the fan base as well.

Sign him Walt, give the fans something to feel good about. Ramon Santiago is not an improvement.