Indians sign former A’s All-Star Alonso
The Indians didn’t take long to cover their opening at first base.
After losing Carlos Santana to Philadelphia in free agency, Cleveland agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract with first baseman Yonder Alonso, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press. The 30-year- old will take a physical on Thursday to finalize the deal, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the agreement.
Alonso hit a career-high 28 homers last season and became a first-time AllStar, representing the A’s in his hometown of Miami. He batted .266 with 67 RBIs in stints with the A’s and Seattle. A left-handed hitter, Alonso has credited changing his swing with the up-tick in power numbers.
Santana left a sizeable void in Cleveland’s lineup after agreeing to a a $60 million, three-year contract with Philadelphia. Santana was a dependable, switchhitting threat in manager Terry Francona’s lineup.
Alonso’s signing would seem to end any speculation about either Michael Brantley or Jason Kipnis moving to first. Brantley is back despite the All-Star outfielder’s almost constant injuries the past two seasons, and Kipnis moved to the outfield last season so the Indians could keep Jose Ramirez at second base.
Alonso, who also has played for Cincinnati and San Diego, has a .268 career batting average with 67 homers and 306 RBIs. The Mariners acquired him from the A’s in a trade last August.
Also on Friday, the Indians made minor league deals official with outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. and righthander Alexi Ogando. Both players will be at big league training camp in Goodyear, Arizona.
If healthy, the 33-yearold Upton could give the Indians more outfield depth and speed. He was limited to just 12 games last season because of right thumb and shoulder injuries. Upton is sixth among active players with 300 career steals.
Ogando, who began his career as an outfielder in Oakland’s system, went 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in 36 games for Atlanta last season. The 34-year- old has also pitched for Texas, appearing in 18 postseason games.
NATIONALS » Brandon Kintzler and the Nationals have finalized a $10 million, twoyear contract that keeps the relief pitcher n Washington.
Kintzler will earn $5 million next year. The Na- tionals have a $10 million option for 2019, and if that is declined Kintzler has a $5 million player option.
The 33-year- old righthander went 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA, 10 holds and a save in 27 games with the Nationals after they acquired him from Minnesota at the July 31 trade deadline. Kintzler had 28 saves in 32 chances for the Twins and was a first-time AL All-Star.
Kintzler has 46 saves and a 3.26 ERA in 297 major league games with the Milwaukee (2010-15), Minnesota and Nationals.
•A person familiar with negotiations says the Washington Nationals have agreed to terms in principle on a $4 million, oneyear contract with first baseman Matt Adams, a deal pending a successful physical.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not made an announcement.
The 29-year- old figures to replace Adam Lind, who became a free agent after the National declined to exercise a 2018 option in his
contract,
Adams hit .274 last season with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs with the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves.
RANGERS » The Texas Rangers have signed righthanded pitchers Shawn Tolleson and Paolo Espino to minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training.
The 29-year-old Tolleson was 11-7 with 46 saves and a 3.84 ERA for the Rangers from 2014-16. He spent last season in the Tampa Bay Rays organization and had season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on May 17. He is expected to continue rehabilitation through the upcoming season.
The 30-year- old Espino was assigned outright by Texas to Triple-A Round Rock on Oct. 10. He made six relief appearances with Texas after being acquired in an August trade with Milwaukee.
The Rangers also signed outfielder Brett Eibner and right-handed pitcher Zeke Spruill to minor league contacts.
MARLINS » Right- hander Jacob Turner has signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins, where he pitched from 2012-14.
Turner went 2- 3 with a 5.08 ERA for Washington this year in 18 games, including two starts. The 26-year- old also has pitched for Detroit, Toronto, the Cubs and White Sox.
Turner has a 14- 30 career record with a 5.09 ERA in 97 games, including 55 starts. He went 8-19 in his previous stay with Miami.
DODGERS » Pitcher Tom Koehler and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a $2 million, one-year contract, a deal that raises next year’s projected luxury tax payroll of the NL champions to $183million.
Koehler split last season between Miami and Toronto. The 31-year- old right-hander was 1-5 in 12 starts with the Marlins before being traded to the Blue Jays in August. He pitched mostly out of the bullpen, going 0-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 14 relief appearances and one start.