Indians signed 2B/OF Ryan Raburn to a minor league contract.
He’ll be invited to spring training and should wind up with an Opening Day roster spot. Raburn is coming off a miserable 2012 season in which he hit just .171/.226/.254, but he’ll offer the Indians versatility and a strong history (.796 OPS) against left-handed pitching.
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Nick Hagadone (wrist) has been cleared for spring training.
Hagadone finished last season on the disqualifed list after he suffered a fractured forearm when he reportedly punched something in frustration in early July. He’s now fully recovered from the injury and is slated to open 2013 in the Indians’ bullpen.
Source: cleveland.com
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Carlos Carrasco (elbow) said his he hasn’t had any setbacks in his offseason throwing program and remains on track to be cleared for spring training.
Carrasco missed all of 2012 as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery, but the Indians are counting on him to compete for a rotation spot this season. When healthy, Carrasco throws 91-95 mph and has the upside of a No. 4 starter. He makes for an intriguing sleeper in AL-only leagues.
Source: cleveland.com
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Mike Aviles requested $3.4 million and was offered $2.4 million from the Indians when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.
Aviles, who was acquired from the Blue Jays in November, is arbitration-eligible for the second time after hitting .250/.282/.381 with 13 home runs, 14 stolen bases and 60 RBI in 136 games last season with the Red Sox. The two sides will hope to find some middle ground in advance of a possible hearing in February.
Source: twitter.com
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Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Justin Masterson by agreeing to a one-year, $5.6875 million contract.
It’s Masterson’s second year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander fell back in 2012 after a breakout year in 2011, holding a 4.93 ERA over 34 starts. His issues against left-handed batters aren’t going away, but Masterson at least should be a durable workhorse for the Tribe.
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Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Matt Albers by agreeing to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.
It was his third and final year of arbitration eligibility. Albers is coming off a career-best 2.39 ERA in 2012 and will look to give the Indians solid work in the middle innings this season.
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Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Chris Perez by agreeing to a one-year, $7.3 million contract.
It’s the third of four arbitration years for Perez, who made $4.5 million last season. He saved a career-high 39 games while making the All-Star team for a second straight year in 2012. The right-hander will return as the club’s closer in 2013 but is a trade candidate.
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Indians avoided arbitration with C Lou Marson by agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract.
Marson, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, has batted just .216/.304/.290 over the last three seasons in Cleveland. He will again serve as Carlos Santana’s backup in 2013.
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Indians and OF Drew Stubbs avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.825 million contract.
The deal also carries $50,000 worth of performance-based bonuses. Stubbs was traded to the Indians in mid-December after batting just .213/.277/.333 in 2012 for the Reds. He still has an attractive combination of power and speed, however, and should again be fantasy-relevant this season in Cleveland.
Source: twitter.com
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Chris Perez has committed to pitching for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The fire-balling 27-year-old reliever recorded 39 saves while posting a 3.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP during the 2012 campaign. With Joe Nathan also expressing possible interest in playing for Team USA, it seems likely that Perez will be used in a setup role as opposed to the ninth inning.
Source: twitter.com
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