The Cleveland Indians signed outfielder Grady Sizemore to a one-year, $5 million deal on Wednesday night according to Cleveland.com.
After playing in 106, 33 and 71 games respectively over the past three years, the Indians reasonably structured the contract with incentives, up to $4 million, based on plate appearances. The contract also includes a $500,000 bonus if Sizemore is named Comeback Player of the Year.
Sizemore was courted by the Phillies, Cubs and Rockies among other teams, but the lifelong Indian opted to stay with the only MLB club he has known.
"At the end of the day, this felt like the best fit for me," said Sizemore. "I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I wasn't ready to move on."
Sizemore was the definition of durability during four standout seasons with Cleveland from 2005-2008 when he smashed an average of 26.7 home runs per year and stole an average of 28.7 bases per year, but he has undergone five operations in the last three years, including microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2010 and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 3.
Said Sizemore, "I don't think there's a day that goes by where I've ever thought I can't stay healthy for a year."
Sizemore is projected to start in center field, flanked by Michael Brantley in left field and Shin-Soo Choo in right field.