Sizemore
While a number of professional athletes have made news by skipping town, Sizemore, the Indians’ longtime center fielder actually chose to stick around, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $5 million.
Sizemore, a three-time all-star and two-time Gold Glove award winner, became a free agent after Cleveland declined his $9 million option for the 2012 season. He received interest from a number of teams before deciding to continue his big league career where it began.
“I wasn’t ready to say goodbye and I wasn’t ready to move on,” said Sizemore, who was acquired in a well-documented trade with the Expos in 2002. “I felt like some good organizations were offering some good opportunities. I just had a hard time letting go of Cleveland.”
And the Indians weren’t ready to turn their back on Sizemore, negotiating with him since the day they declined his option.
“We’re obviously very excited to keep Grady in an Indians uniform,” Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti said. “He’s been an integral part of this organization for the better part of 10 years. We look forward to Grady getting back on the field and hopefully having a healthy, productive season.”
The contract is laced with incentives largely based on plate appearances that could increase the amount to $9 million. Sizemore, once considered one of the American League’s elite players, was put in the position of signing only a one-year deal thanks to injuries that have plagued him the past three seasons.
His last full season in the majors came in 2008, with his playing time and production plummeting since. He’s played in just 104 games the past two years, batting .224 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in 71 games last season. Sizemore has undergone operations on both his knees over the past two years, still rehabbing from right knee surgery performed Oct. 3.
“There’s some shared level of risk,” Antonetti said. “But one thing we know is that when Grady is on the field, he’s been an exceptionally productive player. I don’t think anybody expects him to play 155 or 160 games, but we do expect him to play more than he has the past two years.”
Sizemore, 29, is expected to be close to full health when spring training opens. He underwent a physical Tuesday in Cleveland.
Injuries have undoubtedly taken their toll on Sizemore recently, but he is not concerned they will prevent him from returning to the top-shelf player he has been in the past.
“I might not be able to play 162 (games) for three years in a row like I’ve done in the past,” said Sizemore, who will receive a $500,000 bonus for winning the AL’s Comeback Player of the Year award. “But, I think skill level, I can still get back there. The challenge is being on the field healthy long enough to get those skills back.”
There has been speculation that the Indians would move Sizemore to left field, but Antonetti said the plan is to keep him in center. That means the odds are slim that Cleveland would re-sign Kosuke Fukudome, who was an asset after joining the Indians at the trading deadline last year. Sizemore is expected to be in center to open the season, with Michael Brantley (left) and Shin-Soo Choo (right) flanking him.
The Indians have signed starting pitcher Derek Lowe and Sizemore, and according to Antonetti, are still actively searching for more help — likely focusing on a right-handed hitting position player.
“We’re certainly going to look to improve the team,” he said. “We do have some (financial) flexibility.”
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
