Nelson Cruz on his return to Baltimore, his year with the Orioles, free agency and more

When he steps into the batter's box at Camden Yards tonight as an ex-Oriole, what kind of reception does Nelson Cruz expect from the fans?

"Love, hopefully," he said this afternoon in the Seattle Mariners dugout. "Maybe the first at-bat will be different, but after that it's another game. You have to move on.

"I have good memories. I had a great time and we accomplished something special. It's one of my top (memorable seasons). To come to a new team, new fans and win a (American League East) championship for the first time in a long time was nice."

What was the most special about 2014?

"When we clinched. And when we beat the Tigers. Those are special memories," Cruz said.

After batting .271 with a league-leading 40 homers and 108 RBIs, the Orioles did not offer Cruz more than a three-year contract, and he signed as a free agent with Seattle, agreeing to a four-year deal for $57 million in December.

As the free agent season began, did he feel a return to Baltimore was going to be a long shot?

"I was hoping for the best," he said. "It was different than the year before. I knew what to expect a little bit since I was in that situation the year before. We kept in touch when the process was going on, but it's a business, you know."

Cruz enters this series batting .340 with a major-league leading 15 homers and 30 RBIs. He leads the American League in slugging, total bases, extra-base hits, and by averaging a home run every 9.6 at-bats.

Cruz was asked about the Orioles getting off to a slow start with a record of 16-19 without him, Nick Markakis and Andrew Miller.

"Remember last year around this time we kind of struggled as a team and we found a way to get it done. It's early and they still have a pretty good team," Cruz said. "(Matt) Wieters is probably the only piece they need now."

"I'm just one player. To win games, you need all 25 guys. What I'm doing now with my (new) team is important and I want to stay focused on that."

So for the next three nights, Cruz is back in Baltimore. He'll see friends in the other dugout and on the pitcher's mound, and he said that figures to be strange.

"Yeah, no doubt. I saw Miguel (Gonzalez, tonight's O's starter) last night," Cruz said. "He's the best but hopefully we win."