"Free agent slugger Nelson Cruz is close to a deal with the Orioles, according to people familiar with the deal.
The Cruz signing, once finalized, would be the second major signing within days for Baltimore, which is obviously going for it now. The Orioles will have one of the better lineups in baseball once Cruz is in the fold.
There are still a couple issues to be resolved, according to sources, though a deal looks extremely likely.
The Orioles also had been talking to Kendrys Morales, another free agent hitter. Morales had other opportunities, though, including the Mariners and possibly the Pirates."