Report: Blue Jays showing interest in 43-year-old Nelson Cruz

It's no secret the Toronto Blue Jays are in the market for a right-handed bat ahead of the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline, and a seven-time All-Star could provide a cheap solution.

With the San Diego Padres releasing veteran Nelson Cruz on Tuesday, the 43-year-old is now free to sign with any team. The Blue Jays have been one of the teams showing interest in his services, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

Cruz's best days are behind him, as he slashed just .245/.283/.399 with five home runs for the Padres in 49 games this season. Those numbers come on the heels of his disappointing 2022 season with the Washington Nationals, in which he posted a .651 OPS with 10 home runs in 124 contests.

You don't have to look too far back to find a productive year, though. Cruz was an All-Star in 2021, blasting 32 home runs in 140 games split between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.

The four-time Silver Slugger is strictly a designated hitter at this point in his career, playing a combined eight innings in the field since the start of the 2019 season.

Even with his lack of defensive capabilities, the Blue Jays could still benefit from his imposing right-handed bat in the DH position or in big spots off the bench. Toronto ranks 24th in the majors with a .700 OPS against left-handed pitching, so Cruz could start at DH when opponents have a southpaw on the mound, or pinch-hit for the likes of Brandon Belt, Daulton Varsho or Kevin Kiermaier late in a game.

Cruz's career stats speak for themselves. He's hit 464 home runs over his 19 years in MLB with an .856 OPS. He would also bring plenty of playoff experience, as the native of the Dominican Republic has played in the playoffs seven times, reaching the World Series twice with the Texas Rangers (2010, 2011).