Bourn Signs With Indians

[RipCity32]

The Cleveland Indians suddenly have joined the big spenders and agreed on a four-year, $48 million contract with Michael Bourn, according to two persons with direct knowledge of the contract negotiations.

The two people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the contract will not be finalized until Bourn completes a physical.

Bourn, the last marquee free-agent player to sign, was also being courted by the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. The contract could be worth $60 million over five years if Bourn has 550 plate appearances in 2016. The deal was first reported by CBSSports.com

The Indians, who already have Michael Brantley and Drew Stubbs, now are strongly considering moving right fielder Nick Swisher to first base, a high-ranking Indians executive told USA TODAY Sports. It's also quite possible the Indians could trade Stubbs, a natural center fielder, since Bourn will play center.

Swisher, who signed a four-year, $56 million free-agent contract in December, would move to first base and Mark Reynolds could become the DH. This would give the Indians a powerful defensive outfield of Michael Brantley, Drew Stubbs and Bourn.

Bourn, 30, was originally seeking a six- or seven-year deal, but his value diminished when the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies each acquired center fielders from the Minnesota Twins. Teams were also required to forfeit a first-round draft pick and lose money from their draft pool.

The Indians have had one of their most aggressive winters in the last decade. They also acquired starter Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and signed free-agents Brett Myers, Reynolds, DH/pinch-hitter Jason Giambi and veteran starter Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Figured it was thread worthy.

Indians are having a nice little off-season.

 

[elcheato]

It's very shocking. I was surprised by the Indians spending 50 million on one outfielder, and then they went out and did it again.

Still need to add another pitcher if they want to compete for a wild card.

 

[Pugz]

hmm. pretty shocked. decent signing.

 

[elcheato]

Jose Canseco ‏@JoseCanseco
hey Chris @IndiansGM we gotta get Terry more than $70M to work with or it will be hard to compete. Lets sign bourn

From Jose last night.

Nice call.

This was of course after suggesting that the Indians sign himself and Manny.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

the Indians are having themsleves a great off season. watch out for them

 

[elcheato]

 

[Elite]

I really don't get the Choo trade now

 

[elcheato]

Their pitching is atrocious and there was no help on the way from the minors.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Yea they never solved their pitching issues. Although I guess it's a step in the right direction. Good sign though.

 

[East]

Love the signing. Figured he would end up as a Met tbqh. We need too bring in some rotation arms.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

its still going to take weeks to determine if we would have kept that 11th pick. he wasn't going to wait any longer.

 

[A.E]

If Trevor Bauer can pull a lot of that potential he was supposed to have in 'Zona, the Tribe will surely be in the wildcard race most of the season....and I only say wildcard b/c Detroit is just too damn good from top to bottom. I actually love this Bourn deal when you think about what the Red Sox gave to Victorino.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Oh compared to Victorino this is absolutely a good deal, almost a steal.

 

[elcheato]

I would have been so pissed had Victorino taken our offer, than seen this Bourn deal happen somewhere else.

I'm already pretty ticked at seeing Shaun Marcum get 1yr/4mill after we gave fuckin Brett Meyers 1yr/7mill.

 

[A.E]

Oh compared to Victorino this is absolutely a good deal, almost a steal.

Well...we'll revisit this convo in two years & see whether Victorino or Bourn did more for their latest clubs. Bourn definitely the better deal now but let's not forget the Red Sox set themselves up to pretty much start over with a clean slate in 2015.

 

[East]

This move can't hurt us too much.

 

[elcheato]

For the next 2-3 years it shouldn't, but once his 5th year option kicks in at 15 million when he's 35 years old, it will be bad. Might be bad in the 4th year, but the Indians needed to make a splash, and show fans they're willing to spend.