CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have signed free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario to a Major League contract for the 2021 season, the team confirmed.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand and MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal, the Tribe and Rosario were nearing a one-year, $8 million deal, pending a physical.
The Indians have agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with free-agent OF Eddie Rosario, per source. The deal is pending a physical.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 30, 2021
Source confirms: Free-agent outfielder Eddie Rosario finalizing deal with Indians. First: @Feinsand.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 30, 2021
Rosario is a familiar face in Cleveland after years of playing with the Minnesota Twins and doing it well against the Tribe.
In his six seasons in the league, Rosario has slashed .277/.310/.478 with 119 home runs, 388 RBI and 39 stolen bases.
Last season with the Twins, Rosario posted 13 home runs, 42 RBI and three stolen bases, slashing .257/.316/.476.
Rosario's signing adds a much needed upgrade to the outfield, which has been one of the team's biggest weaknesses over the past few years, while also providing a spark to the lineup with Rosario' bat.
It's also beneficial to the team to remove a productive player from the roster of a divisional rival.
"It's nice to have him on this side of the ball," Indians President Chris Antonetti said.
The Tribe also announced Friday that the club had officially re-signed second baseman César Hernández for the 2021 season.
"We are elated. He brought so much to our team last year," Antonetti said. "We're excited to welcome him back."
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