Fri, Jan 29, 2021
By TOM WITHERS (AP Sports Writer)
CLEVELAND (AP) - The Indians have agreed with free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario on a contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Friday night.
The Indians know the 29-year-old Rosario well as he's spent the past six seasons with the AL Central rival Minnesota Twins. Rosario's deal is pending the completion of a physical, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the medical tests aren't finished.
Rosario would be a huge addition for Cleveland's outfield, which has been an issue for the past two seasons as the team has used a platoon of players.
Rosario had his best season in 2019, when he reached career-highs with 32 homers and 109 RBIs in 137 games. During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Rosario batted .257 with 13 homers and drove in 42 runs in 57 games.
A left-handed hitter, Rosario has a career .277 average with 119 homers and 388 RBIs.
The agreement with Rosario came a few hours after the Indians officially signed second baseman Cesar Hernandez to a $5 million contract for 2021. Hernandez is coming back for a second season with the Indians, who signed him as a free agent late in 2019 after he spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Hernandez's deal includes a $6 million club option in 2022 with no buyout.
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