Cruz reportedly agrees to terms with Mariners (updated)

Outfielder Nelson Cruz, who led the majors with 40 home runs this season, has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Mariners, according to multiple reports.

The Dominican newspaper El Caribe was the first to report that Cruz will receive $57 million from the Mariners, who pursued him last winter before ownership intervened.

Cruz settled for a one-year, $8 million deal with the Orioles, which executive vice president Dan Duquette described in October as a "platform" for the outfielder to attain a much bigger deal.

The stigma attached to Cruz's 50-game suspension in 2013 for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal didn't prevent him from being amply rewarded for his production this year.

The Orioles wanted to bring Cruz back, but they were never comfortable going beyond three years. They met with Cruz and his representative last month at the general managers' meetings in Phoenix, but were prepared to lose him.

On the plus side, the Orioles will receive a compensatory draft pick after Cruz declined their $15.3 million qualifying offer.

The Orioles will need to replace Cruz's bat in left field and at the DH spot, where he received most of his starts. They're interested in Torii Hunter if he's willing to accept a one-year deal and have talked to the Dodgers about Matt Kemp, who comes at a much higher cost. They also view free agent Melky Cabrera as a possible fallback option.

In the meantime, the Orioles and Nick Markakis still haven't come to an agreement on a new deal. There hasn't been much progress made since the sides met in Phoenix.

Cruz, who turns 35 in July, batted .271/.333/.525 with 32 doubles, 40 home runs and 108 RBIs and finished seventh in Most Valuable Player voting in the American League. He was chosen as Most Valuable Oriole by members of the media who cover the team.

Update: According to an Orioles official, the club was told that Cruz had a four-year, $58 million offer.

Cruz's agreement with the Mariners reportedly includes a $1 million signing bonus.