Cruz a gamble for Orioles

Today's "Newberg Report" Email from Jamey Newberg links to a damning FanGraphs article by Dave Cameron about OF Nelson Cruz.
He's in Florida now for a physical with the Orioles, with whom he has reportedly agreed on a 1-year contract for $8 million. Meanwhile, the Rangers are probably glad to have a supplemental draft pick instead of having to pay the $14.1 million it would have taken if Cruz had accepted their tender.
I think for a year or two, Camden Yards can hide Cruz's deficiencies. He still has enough power, even if not enhanced by PEDs, to hit home runs there. And right field is small enough to keep him from getting into too much trouble if he plays in the outfield.
-- The Dodgers are looking at a potential all-Cuban middle infield. They have signed SS Erisbel Arruebarrena (whom I'll call EAb for now) to a 5-year, $25-million contract.
He's expected to begin the regular season in the minor leagues, but arrive in Los Angeles by summer to pair with Alex Guerrero, another Cuban free agent shortstop who is being moved to second base. Designated for assignment off the roster is SS/2B Justin Sellers.
-- The Yankees, hedging their bets on RHP David Robertson as their closer for this season, signed RHP Andrew Bailey to a minor league contract.
-- The Rockies have decided not to move OF Carlos Gonzalez from left field to center. That seems like a good non-move with a somewhat brittle player who's expected to be a vital cog in the offense along with similarly injury-prone SS Troy Tulowitzki. The plan is to give Drew Stubbs most of the playing time in center. Brandon Barnes is another right-handed-batting candidate. Lefty-swinging Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson could be in the mix. Based on last season's performance, I would expect Blackmon to play a majority of the games.
-- Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia was scheduled to return Sunday to St. Louis for an MRI exam on his left shoulder. He underwent season-ending surgery last May.
-- The Giants signed free-agent fringe OF Tyler Colvin to a minor league contract. He can compete in an unsettled outfield, and receive some tips from a newly acquired spring-training instructor, Barry Bonds. The PED wheel just keeps spinning.
-- RHP Yu Darvish apparently would start three openers for the Rangers -- their first intrasquad game Monday; their Cactus League opener Thursday against the co-tenant Royals in Surprise, Ariz., and their regular-season opener against the Phillies March 31 at whatever Rangers Ballpark is being called this year. For at least the first two, he won't be throwing to C Geovany Soto. He'll miss three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a bone from his left ankle.
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Basketball. Unless my team can make about a bajillion out of a bajillion and one free throws today, I'll do no better than 7-1 this week. And if my guys are cold from the field, I could drop to 6-2. Still looks like a 14-game lead with 24 to play.