The Seattle Mariners never really had a chance at re-signing Nelson Cruz, who ended up with the Baltimore Orioles, last offseason.
Mariners ownership decreed early last winter that the team would not be signing Cruz or any other free agent with a PED connection.
The Tacoma New-Tribune reported recently that the Mariners "backed away" from an agreement between Mariners and Cruz on a deal for one year and an option that was to pay Cruz about $7.5 million in 2014 and include an option for about $9 million for 2015.