Cruz brings more to Nationals than his ability with the bat

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, USA (AP) — Nelson Cruz quickly showed Washington Nationals that he can bring more than a powerful hit to his new team.

After placing himself in the batter's box while Erick Fedde was pitching at a practice, Cruz approached the right to give him a message: He was announcing his pitches.

“I saw something before I last released,” Cruz said Thursday. “I immediately realized that the launch was coming before it happened. I told him to make sure he pitched well. 'Don't change your pattern—the way you take the ball. '”

The 41-year-old slugger signed a contract of $15 million for one year or $28 million for two seasons.

Elected seven times to the All-Star Game, Cruz has 449 home runs and a batting average of .277 in his career.

“He is someone I respect not only for what he does on the field, but for what he does outside as a person,” Puerto Rican manager Dave Martínez said. “We are fortunate to have him.”

Washington hopes that the Dominican, who won the prestigious Robert Clemente Award last season, will be able to bring benefits to the plate and the clubhouse.

The adoption of the designated batsman into the National League this year gave Nationals a chance to sign Cruz. His compatriot Juan Soto helped convince him.

“Come here,” Cruz assured Soto. “Let's do something special. Let's win.”

Soto, 23, became friends with Cruz at the All-Star Game and at charity events.

“It's going to be fun to be behind and in front of him, to watch him bat,” Cruz said of Soto.

Cruz remains a fearsome batsman.

He has overshadowed the 30-home run record in his last seven full major-league seasons. He had 86 RBIs with Minnesota and Tampa Bay last season, which nevertheless ended six campaigns in a row of at least 90.

Cruz came to the Major Leagues in 2005 with Milwaukee and had only eight plate appearances.

Last season he hit 32 home runs and had a batting average of .265. Soto led the Nationals last year with 29 home runs.

Cruz will make $12 million this year. Their agreement includes a mutual option of 16 million by 2023 and a termination clause of 3 million.

Although he was hired as a designated hitter, Cruz caught some groundbreaking at first base during Thursday's first training session with Nationals.

“It really looked good there,” Martinez acknowledged. “I started scratching my head. I said, 'hey, you never know'. And he started laughing.”