Showalter 'more confident' about re-signing Cruz than he was at end of season
Bob DeChiara / USA TODAY Sports
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is growing increasingly confident that Nelson Cruz will be back in Baltimore next season:
#Orioles’ Showalter on “Hot Stove” talking about re-signing Cruz: “I’m a little more confident than I was at the end of the season.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2014
Cruz, who declined the Orioles' one-year, $15.3-million qualifying offer, is arguably the biggest bat available on the free-agent market after he slugged 40 homers last season.
Cruz also reportedly turned down a three-year offer from the O's prior to free agency and is seeking a four-year deal.
The Orioles are also busy negotiating a new contract with outfielder Nick Markakis.