Rangers outfielder, Nelson Cruz, said last Tuesday that he would like to sign a multi-year deal with the Rangers before the start of the 2012 season according to the Associated Press (via LiderEnDeportes.com).

“We’ll wait for some sort of negotiation. We’re hoping we could get to a long-term deal,” said Cruz. “Although no contract talks have been held because the arbitration cases are going to be solved in January.”

Cruz also said that he received an offer for a five-year deal with the Rangers before the 2011 season, but he rejected it because he wasn’t happy with the money the team was offering. The 31-year old outfielder also talked about his latest injuries and how he’s preparing to get through them.

“The heat in Texas, the humidity, that has affected me,” he said. “But we’re working with trainers specialized in athleticism to strengthen my legs and try to avoid some of the problems that have been bothering me.”

Cruz hit .263/.312/.509 with 29 HR’s and 87 RBI’s in 475 AB’s for the Texas Rangers in 2011.

Image by Keith Allison under the Creative Commons License.