Report: Twins, Cruz have mutual interest

The Minnesota Twins have entered the Nelson Cruz sweepstakes.

The Twins are interested in signing the veteran slugger, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports. They may even have an inside track, as a source told MLB.com's Do-Hyoung Park the interest from Cruz is mutual.

Minnesota is evidently looking to add power after hitting just 166 homers last season. The team has already made one move to address this weakness by claiming first baseman C.J. Cron off waivers in November.

Cruz is a strict designated hitter at this stage of his career; he's only played nine games in the outfield over the past two seasons and has never been considered a good defender. But he remains a feared presence at the plate. The 38-year-old slashed .256/.342/.509 with 37 home runs - the fifth straight year he's surpassed the 30-homer mark - and 97 RBIs in 144 games for the Seattle Mariners last season. That production was enough to earn Cruz his sixth All-Star berth.

In Minnesota, Cruz would slot in as the everyday DH and bump Cron to first base full-time with Jake Cave moving to an outfield spot. Cruz could potentially form a lethal lineup trio alongside Cron and third baseman Miguel Sano, who the Twins are hoping can bounce back from a miserable 2018 campaign.

Cruz, a former home run champion who has won two Silver Sluggers, is also reportedly being pursued by the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, and Chicago White Sox.