Ben Watson, Mohamed Massaquoi listed as free agents not likely to return
February 7, 2013Indians no longer pursuing Jim Thome, will not commit roster spot to DH
February 7, 2013The Cleveland Indians officially avoided arbitration once again by agreeing to a two-year contract with infielder Mike Aviles. The contract is worth $6 million with an option for 2015.
Aviles, who earned $1.2 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility last season, had requested a salary of $3.4 million, Cleveland countered with an offer of $2.4 million for the coming campaign.
In 2012, Aviles hit .250 with 13 home runs, 14 stolen bases, 28 doubles, 57 runs scored and 60 runs batted in through 136 games with the Boston Red Sox. Spending the majority of five seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Aviles provided a slash line of .277 /.308/.408 slugging percentage though 475 career games.
The versatile 31-year old was acquired via trade this past offseason and will likely spell the Indians throughout the diamond. Having Aviles under contract through 2015 will allow the Indians to have depth behind All-Star Asdrubal Cabrera who becomes a free agent after 2014.
The Indians have not gone to an arbitration hearing with a player since 1991.
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1 Comment
Aviles better earn every penny, given that he would be getting roughly starter’s playing time as the super-utility guy. Indians offered him a fair contract to begin with IMO, but the no-arbitration streak lives on.