“We’ve met with Cruz and his representatives from Newport Sports a number of times. And I think just right after the trade deadline, they informed us that he was not going to be signing in Pittsburgh for a few reasons. That it’s up to him to share.
It’s a personal thing for him. But obviously, we felt we had a great opportunity for him. And obviously, the proof is in the pudding on the development side.”
“But players are entitled to make their decision. And I don’t think we’re at the position here anymore where we have to beg people to come. So when it comes to his decision making on it, then I think passing up a chance to get into the American League and developing here over.. (he) would have been a month already now.
But obviously, the next few months and it’s, especially when your (college) team doesn’t qualify for anything, it’s a big miss. But that’s his decision and his right. And we’ll just move on to the next.”