SEATTLE - Had things come together last season, Nelson Cruzs introduction with the Seattle Mariners would have taken place a year ago. Jonathan Goodwin Jersey .Seattle pursued Cruz last year but when it didnt work out, he went on to lead the majors in home runs playing on a one-year deal in Baltimore. The Mariners were quick to try to find a deal that would work for both sides as soon as this off-season arrived.We were open and honest as we could possibly be and say, This is the guy that we want, Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said Thursday. He was the guy we wanted to bring into this organization and it just came together.Seattle landed the right-handed power bat that was a priority this off-season with a $57 million, four-year contract that was finalized Thursday. He gets a $1 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and yearly salaries of $14 million.Cruz parlayed an $8 million, one-year contract with Baltimore into a long deal with the Mariners after hitting 40 homers and driving in 108 runs for the Orioles. Zduriencik said adding a fourth year to the contract — which will take Cruz to age 38 — was critical to getting the deal done.With Nelson, the fact that because hes such a power guy, and in our game today its so difficult to find, Zduriencik said. In our league he can be a DH which will preserve him somewhat, hes in great shape, hes a really good worker. He may age very well. We had to do that to get him here and we did it.Cruz served a 50-game suspension in 2013 for violations of the major league drug agreement in relation to the sports investigation of the Biogenesis of America clinic. He again referred Thursday to making a mistake taking banned substances and said hes moved on from the suspension.Hell likely hit behind fellow Dominican star Robinson Cano, who will be starting the second season of a $240 million, 10-year contract, and will also reunite with Dominican teammate Fernando Rodney, the Mariners closer.Weve been pretty close, Cruz said of Cano. Hes also one of the reasons why Im here. I think he was pulling for me the whole time. I was pulling for this right here, to be part of this.The Mariners have among the top pitching staffs in the AL but missed the post-season by one game last season due to offensive shortcomings.Cruz fits the need, even if hes never posted big numbers at Safeco Field. Cruz has hit at least 22 homers in every season since 2009 and has been an All-Star three times. Cruzs .271 batting average and .525 slugging percentage last season with Baltimore was his highest since 2010 with Texas.Cruz has hit .240 with nine homers and 19 RBIs in 52 games in Seattle — better than his .185 career average in Oakland and .218 in Anaheim.I just believe great players make players around them better and I think having Nelson in the middle of our lineup is not only going to give (Cano) a lot more pitches to hit, but whoever is hitting behind him will have an opportunity to drive in runs as well, Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. Obviously, hes going to make guys better around him in that lineup.The middle of Seattles order is no longer filled with questions. With Cano, Cruz and All-Star Kyle Seager, the Mariners have a legitimate 3-4-5 to build around. McClendon said Cruz would be primarily a designated hitter but also would be used in the outfield. Cruz played 70 games in the outfield for Baltimore last season.The Mariners would still like to add another offensive piece to further solidify that lineup and expect to be involved in a lot of conversations at the Winter Meetings. Zduriencik acknowledged that a few years ago Seattle may not have been a desirable place for free agents to consider.I think the perception of this organization is changing, Zduriencik said.NOTES: Cruz received a limited no-trade provision. Within 30 days of the deals approval by Major League Baseball, he can designate eight teams he cannot be traded to without his approval during 2015-16. He would get a $50,000 bonus if elected to start in the All-Star game, $25,000 if selected as a reserve and $50,000 each for winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger. He also would get $150,000 if hes voted MVP, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $100,000 for World Series MVP. Billy Kilmer Jersey . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. Josh Hill Jersey .Leicester won 25-21 in a heated European Rugby Champions Cup group match on Sunday.Toulon said on its website on Wednesday that it decided to open an investigation after Leicester complained about the behaviour of prop Martin Castrogiovanni and fullback Delon Armitage. http://www.customsaintsjersey.com/custom-willie-roaf-jersey-large-1752e.html . Reimer is winless (0-2-1) since returning from a six-week absence due to concussion-like symptoms. The Maple Leafs dropped a 4-2 decision to the hosting Washington Capitals on Friday.BALTIMORE - Approaching the final two weeks of the regular season, the Baltimore Ravens have no interest in exploring potential playoff scenarios or hypothetical situations.We have to win out, rookie linebacker C.J. Mosley said. Everybody talks about who has to win and who has to lose, but we have to win the next two games to give ourselves a chance.The Ravens are in this position because they survived a shaky performance Sunday in a 20-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.Baltimore (9-5) came in as a two-touchdown favourite against the Jaguars (2-12), but trailed at halftime and didnt clinch the victory until Blake Bortles threw an interception in the final minute.Obviously, it didnt go as smoothly as we would have liked, but thats the way it is, said tight end Owen Daniels, who scored Baltimores lone offensive touchdown. They pulled out all the stops and we did just enough to win.It was hardly an artistic success, but the Ravens were happy to take another awkward step toward a potential playoff berth. They remain a half-game out of first place in the AFC North and are tied with Pittsburgh for one of the conferences two wild-card slots.There are things we need to clean up, get better at, wide receiver Steve Smith said. But you cant upset yourself over that, especially with a win.The Jaguars played well on defence, but Bortles was sacked eight times. Jacksonville never reached the end zone and was held scoreless after halftime.It was frustrating, Jaguars running back Tony Gerhart said. We moved the ball well in the first half and crossed the 50, but then had to settle for field goals. Against a good team like that, if you score a couple touchdowns there, you put them in a bind.Some things to know about Ravens-Jaguars game:DAS BOOT: Bortles shuffled into his postgame press conference with a walking boot on his right foot. He sprained the foot during the game, but the injury wasnt serious enough for him to yield to backup Chad Henne.With the Jaguars on a short week before hosting the injury-depleted Tennessee Titans on Thursday night, there might be some concern that Bortles might not be fit enough to play.He dismissed the nottion. Eli Apple Jersey. ts fine, Bortles insisted. Just being precautionary. Look forward to getting back (home) tonight and getting back after it.BIG BLOCK: The Ravens block of Jacksonvilles first punt gave them the early lead and set the tone for the day.After Darian Stewart blasted up the middle and blocked Bryan Angers kick, Kamar Aiken picked the ball up at the 11 and carried it in.It was a call just for me and (Anthony) Levine, and whichever one of us get there first, it was just, make the play, Stewart said.After the block, Aiken had it easy.When I saw Stew pop open, I was just like Hes going to get this one, Aiken said. And when he got it, and Im thinking, This is a layup.MORAL OF THE STORY: A week after letting a 13-10 halftime lead slip away at home against Houston, the Jaguars couldnt hold on to a 12-10 advantage at intermission against Baltimore.Jacksonville made things difficult for the Ravens, but coming close wasnt good enough.I told our team were not into moral victories, coach Gus Bradley said. Were into victories. Thats what were after, and weve got to figure this out.ROOKIE STEPS UP: Starting for the second week in a row in place of suspended defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, Ravens rookie Timmy Jernigan helped make Bortles life miserable with two sacks.We were doing some things in there, some stunting. I was able to beat my guy a couple of times up the gut and make the play, said Jernigan, a second-round draft pick from Florida State.Jernigan said he tried to emulate teammates Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs.When you see Elvis Dumervil setting records and Terrell Suggs making sacks all over the place, it makes you want to elevate your game to the next level. he said.HELLO AGAIN: Ravens running back Justin Forsett ran for 48 yards on 16 carries against the team he played for last season.Forsett said there was plenty of banter between himself and his former friends — all of it good.It was all encouragement, he said. It was all love.Forsett has 1,128 yards on the ground this season. He had 31 yards on six carries with Jacksonville in 2013.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '