Cleveland -- Meet the Indians' new right-handed-hitting outfielder, same as the Indians' old right-handed-hitting outfielder. Austin Kearns is back. Kearns, who won a job with the Indians last spring training, has agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Tribe. He is the first free agent the Indians have signed to a big-league deal this winter. Kearns' deal...
Cleveland -- Meet the Indians' new right-handed-hitting outfielder, same as the Indians' old right-handed-hitting outfielder.
Austin Kearns is back. Kearns, who won a job with the Indians last spring training, has agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Tribe. He is the first free agent the Indians have signed to a big-league deal this winter.
Kearns' deal includes performance bonuses.
"We think he's a great fit," said GM Chris Antonetti. "He's a right-handed-hitting outfielder who can play all three outfield positions. He's smart, tough and plays the game the right way."
The Indians traded Kearns to the Yankees for right-hander Zach McAllister on July 30, one day before the non-waiver trading deadline.
Kearns hit .272 (83-for-301) with 42 runs, 18 doubles, eight homers and 42 RBI with the Tribe. He had an OPS of .773 -- .419 slugging percentage and .354 on-base percentage.
Overall, he hit .263 with 10 homers and 49 RBI. He had a .746 OPS, but played sparingly for the Yankees.
"We talked to some pretty good teams," said Kearns, concerning his off-season negotiations. "In the end, Cleveland was the place to come back to."
Kearns and his wife, Abbey, have a home in Westlake.
"Living outside of Cleveland definitely played a part in me signing here," said Kearns.
Last year, Kearns came to camp as a spring training invitee on a make-good deal. He won a spot on the club and earned $750,000 in base salary.
"I enjoyed playing here," said Kearns. "There are a lot of good guys on this team. Guys I've maintained relationships with. They have a lot of talented young guys on this team."
The Indians' projected starting outfield of Grady Sizemore, Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo are all left-handed hitters. Kearns was primarily a left fielder last year, playing 91 games there.
Shelley Duncan, Trevor Crowe and Chad Huffman are the other right-handed-hitting alternatives among the outfielders. Crowe is a switch hitter.
The Indians must drop someone from the 40-man roster to make room for Kearns. They do not have to do that until MLB and the players association approve the contract.
He's back: Jayson Nix's winter ball experience has turned into a painful one.
He just returned to San Juan's lineup in Puerto Rico after getting hit in the head by a pitch and missing nine games. The Indians sent him there to sharpen his skills at third base, but he's played only eight games.
Nix is hitting .074 (2-for-27) with one RBI. He has eight strikeouts and one walk. If the Indians aren't able to acquire a third baseman, Nix is the leading candidate to open the season at the hot corner. Good reports: Antonetti said the Indians are indeed interested in Bartolo Colon and have been getting good reports from his winter ball exploits with Aguilas in the Dominican Republic.
Colon, 37, has reportedly lost close to 40 pounds.
The Indians have not talked contract with Colon or his agents. Colon broke into the big leagues with the Indians and was their No. 1 starter at one time. Finally: The Indians were not that interested in free-agent infielder Bill Hall, who signed a $3.25 million deal with Houston. Hall, a utility man, may have helped the Tribe at third.