Cruz, Rangers avoid arbitration: The Rangers reached an agreement with OF Nelson Cruz on a two-year deal worth $16 million plus incentives on Thursday. Cruz has already passed his physical. The deal allows Cruz to avoid arbitration. Cruz told ESPN.com that he's focused on strengthening his legs this offseason in an attempt to avoid injuries during the year. “I feel like I’m in better shape right now than in the past,” Cruz said. “I expect a big performance of myself and nothing less than going back to the World Series.” Cruz has landed on the disabled list five times over the past two seasons with hamstring issues. "I feel like my legs are definitely stronger and more flexible. It’s going to be a huge difference in what I do [than] in the past," said. (Updated 02/09/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Cruz had a typical season in 2011, hitting for power, driving in runs, and missing significant amounts of playing time due to injury. His chronic health issues limit his Fantasy appeal somewhat, but hopefully this new workout regiment keeps him healthier for the Rangers and owners. Cruz is worth targeting within the first five rounds in mixed league drafts. (Updated 02/09/2012).
Nelson Cruz was able to play in more than 120 games for just the second time in his career last season and again proved to be a solid option in Fantasy when healthy. He hit seven home runs with 18 RBI in his first 30 games before a quad injury landed him on the DL. He would return in late May and batted .287 with 21 home runs and 66 RBI until a hamstring strain put him out of commission in August and early September. He finished the campaign with just a .263 average but he slugged 29 long balls and posted a career high with 87 RBI. The 31-year-old would likely put up some monster numbers if he could ever see more than 500 at-bats in a season, but even though he has always been known as an injury risk, Cruz is still valuable in Fantasy. With the lineup that surrounds him and the in which ballpark he plays, make sure to grab Cruz in the early rounds in mixed leagues on Draft Day. (Updated 1/30/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
