George_F
01-28-03, 01:00 PM
Giants Sign Jose Cruz, Jr. to One-Year Deal
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--In a move to fill their vacant right field spot, the San Francisco Giants have signed free agent Jose Cruz, Jr. to a one-year contract with a mutual option for a second year, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Cruz, a seven-year Major League veteran, is one of just two Blue Jays to ever post a 30-home run, 30-stolen base season in franchise history. The 28-year-old outfielder accomplished the feat in 2001, when he hit 34 home runs and stole 32 bases for Toronto. The switch hitter owns a .251 lifetime batting average with 424 runs, 148 doubles, 31 triples, 134 home runs, 389 RBI and 86 stolen bases in 747 career big league contests.
"It's been no secret that we've admired Jose's ability for the last few years," said Sabean. "We're extremely excited to add a player of his caliber, who can hit for power and steal a base while playing outstanding defense."
Originally the third overall pick in the 1995 draft by Seattle, Cruz hit .245 with 64 runs, 26 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI and seven stolen bases for Toronto in 2002. The son of former Houston Astros All-Star Jose Cruz, he started 118 games for the Blue Jays last season, including 52 in left field, 46 in right field and 20 in center field.
Despite being limited to 124 games after spraining his left ankle, Cruz registered nine outfield assists and posted a .992 fielding percentage (two errors, 266 total chances) in 2002.
Cruz, who finished second in the 1997 A.L. Rookie of the Year ballotting to Nomar Garciaparra, has had good success against left-handed pitchers during his career, registering a .271 lifetime mark with 25 home runs and 91 RBI. However, he had much better success against right-handed hurlers in 2002,
hitting .253 with 15 of his 18 total home runs. The Arroyo, Puerto Rico native is a .244 career hitter against right-handed pitchers with 109 home runs and 298 RBI.
The Rice University product will be appearing for his third Major League team after debuting with Seattle in 1997, before being traded to Toronto July 31, 1997 for Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric. Cruz finishes his Blue Jay career ranking among the franchise's top ten in three different categories. He ranks eighth in club history with 122 home runs and is tied for ninth with Alex Gonzalez with 85 stolen bases and sits in eighth place with a .462 slugging percentage (minimum of 2,000 plate appearances).
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--In a move to fill their vacant right field spot, the San Francisco Giants have signed free agent Jose Cruz, Jr. to a one-year contract with a mutual option for a second year, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Cruz, a seven-year Major League veteran, is one of just two Blue Jays to ever post a 30-home run, 30-stolen base season in franchise history. The 28-year-old outfielder accomplished the feat in 2001, when he hit 34 home runs and stole 32 bases for Toronto. The switch hitter owns a .251 lifetime batting average with 424 runs, 148 doubles, 31 triples, 134 home runs, 389 RBI and 86 stolen bases in 747 career big league contests.
"It's been no secret that we've admired Jose's ability for the last few years," said Sabean. "We're extremely excited to add a player of his caliber, who can hit for power and steal a base while playing outstanding defense."
Originally the third overall pick in the 1995 draft by Seattle, Cruz hit .245 with 64 runs, 26 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI and seven stolen bases for Toronto in 2002. The son of former Houston Astros All-Star Jose Cruz, he started 118 games for the Blue Jays last season, including 52 in left field, 46 in right field and 20 in center field.
Despite being limited to 124 games after spraining his left ankle, Cruz registered nine outfield assists and posted a .992 fielding percentage (two errors, 266 total chances) in 2002.
Cruz, who finished second in the 1997 A.L. Rookie of the Year ballotting to Nomar Garciaparra, has had good success against left-handed pitchers during his career, registering a .271 lifetime mark with 25 home runs and 91 RBI. However, he had much better success against right-handed hurlers in 2002,
hitting .253 with 15 of his 18 total home runs. The Arroyo, Puerto Rico native is a .244 career hitter against right-handed pitchers with 109 home runs and 298 RBI.
The Rice University product will be appearing for his third Major League team after debuting with Seattle in 1997, before being traded to Toronto July 31, 1997 for Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric. Cruz finishes his Blue Jay career ranking among the franchise's top ten in three different categories. He ranks eighth in club history with 122 home runs and is tied for ninth with Alex Gonzalez with 85 stolen bases and sits in eighth place with a .462 slugging percentage (minimum of 2,000 plate appearances).