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Ryan Raburn has turned his opportunity with the Indians into a guaranteed multi-year contract. The club announced they have signed the utility man to a two-year contract extension, which is worth $4.85 million according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer has the breakdown:
- 2014: $2.25 million
- 2015: $2.5 million
- 2016: $3 million club option with $100,000 buyout
Raburn will earn $1 million this season after signing a minor league contract with the Tribe in January and making the team out of spring training. He was non-tendered by the Tigers back in November.
Raburn, 32, has hit .277/.370/.565 (163 OPS+) with 13 home runs in 211 plate appearances for Cleveland this year. The right-handed hitter has done a big chunk of his damage against lefties, producing a .307/.402/.627 (178 OPS+) batting line against them in 87 plate appearances.
Although he has experience at every position other than pitcher, catcher and shortstop, the Indians have used Raburn primarily in right field. He has filled in at second and left field as well as DH, however.
The Tigers cut ties with Raburn after he hit .226/.272/.370 (73 OPS+) in 640 plate appearances from 2011-12. He had established himself as a useful role player from 2007-10, hitting .278/.337/.475 (113 OPS+) while playing all over the field for Detroit.
Raburn was scheduled to become a free agent after the season.
