DH Nelson Cruz headed to Nationals

Free-agent designated hitter Nelson Cruz has agreed to a one-year $12 million deal with the Nationals with a mutual option worth $16 million ($3 million buyout) for 2023, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The Nationals have not confirmed the report and the deal is pending a physical.

The 41-year-old Cruz has been an anomaly in recent years—a player who has remained effective through his late 30s and even past his 40th birthday. With that said, his season did take a turn after a July 22 trade from the Twins to the Rays. Cruz posted a .907 OPS in 85 games for Minnesota but only a .725 OPS in 55 games for Tampa Bay, despite 13 home runs. He then went 3-for-17 (.176) with one homer in the Rays’ ALDS loss to Boston.