Rangers to make qualifying offer to Nelson Cruz

The Rangers have decided to make a qualifying offer of $14.1 million to impending free agent Nelson Cruz, the Dallas Morning News reports.

"It’s a relatively easy decision," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told the Morning News. "We’d be happy to have him back on a one-year deal. And we’re not prohibited from continuing to talk to him while he sees what the market is. If he signs elsewhere, we get a draft pick that helps us as well."

Cruz is exepcted to reject the offer, giving the Rangers the opportunity to pick up a compensation draft pick should Cruz decide to sign with another team. Even though he missed 50 games due to a drug-related suspension, Cruz hit 27 home runs and drove in 76 while posting a .266/.327/.506 line in 413 at-bats.