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February 11, 2012

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Rangers on a high after 2-year Cruz deal

THE Texas Rangers agreed to a US$16 million, two-year contract with Nelson Cruz on Thursday, keeping the American League Championship Series MVP around as the team chases a third-straight AL pennant.

"Nelson is a cornerstone of our team for what really marks the whole turnaround of the franchise. He been part of the winning core, he's a huge part of that," assistant general manager Thad Levine said.

"He's been big-time performer in the postseason. He's part of the personality of this team, he plays the game with a ton of energy, a very dynamic player, true five-tool athlete."

The deal came eight days before a scheduled arbitration hearing. It includes another potential US$500,000 in performance bonuses and takes the 31-year-old slugging outfielder through his final two seasons of salary-arbitration eligibility.

Cruz and Levine both said there were talks of a longer deal going into his first seasons of potential free agency.

They said there could be further conversations, but that the two-year agreement was the best way to settle things at this point.

"This was the priority right now," Cruz said. "Like I've said before, I would like to stay with the Rangers."

The deal for Cruz came a day after slick-fielding shortstop Elvis Andrus completed a US$14.4 million, three-year contract on the eve of his scheduled arbitration hearing.

 

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