The Texas Rangers and outfielder Nelson Cruz are negotiating a one-year deal to avoid salary arbitration before their hearing on February 17th, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN. While a one-year deal may be the top priority right now, Cruz tells Rojas they are leaving the door open for a long-term deal.

"We're exchanging figures, negotiating for a year but leaving the door open for a multiyear deal," Cruz told ESPNDeportesLosAngeles on Tuesday.

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, they will need to fight for their case in front of a third-party arbitration panel. After earning $3.65 million last season, the 31-year-old Cruz field for a substantial raise and is looking for $7.5 million this time around while the the Rangers countered at $5.5 million, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.