Indians set to sign utility player Ryan Raburn
|
By Jim Pete January 20, 2013
|
The Cleveland Indians have signed utility-man Ryan Raburn to a minor league contract, with an invitation to big-league camp, according to CBS baseball writer, Jon Heyman via twitter. Yesterday, MLB’s Tribe writer, Jordan Bastian, broke the news that the Indians were nearing a deal, with official word likely coming sometime next week.
Raburn has played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers, and can fill multiple roles if he’s healthy. Throughout his career, he’s played 265 games in left, 143 game at second, 114 games in right, 35 games in center and 33 games at third. His career slash-line is a solid .256/.311/.430, and he should give the Indians some potential depth heading into spring training.
Raburn’s best seasons were in 2009 and 2010. In those two seasons, he hit a combined .284, with 31 homers and 107 RBI in 226 games. His numbers tapered off a bit in 2011, with his average dropping to .256, but he still managed 14 homers and 49 RBI.
Raburn led the Tigers with six homers during spring training heading into the 2012 season, but after starting off the season in a massive slump and hitting only .146 during the first two months, he was sent to their Triple A affiliate in Toledo.
The Tigers would recall Raburn in mid-June, but things certainly didn’t improve. Raburn went on the DL at the beginning of August for a sprained right thumb, then again in the middle of September for a strained right quadriceps. He finished the season hitting only .171.
He wasn’t on the Tigers postseason roster, and he was ultimately released by the Tigers in November.
Raburn has some history at Progressive field. Former Indians' shortstop, Jhonny Peralta, hit a three-run, inside-the-park homer in the Indians' first game back after the 2010 all-star break. Raburn inadvertantly aided Peralta when he went crashing through the bullpen door, allowing the ball to bound away as Raburn fell into the pen. You can watch Raburn's misfortune here.
In a bit of irony, two weeks later, Peralta would be dealt to the Tigers.
Raburn certainly isn’t a player that’s going to be challenging for a starting role in the infield or the outfield, but his versatility and potential bat off the bench could give him the lead in making the roster heading into spring.
If Raburn can right the ship from last year, and prove that it was the exception, and not a trend, he could be a valuable, low-risk, minor league signing. It’s certainly nothing earth-shattering, as the Indians are clearly down to their last free-agent dollars.
Jim is currently the co-site editor, the ATF/Carolina Mudcats/Indians/General Site Columnist, and the co-host of IPI's weekly online radio show, Smoke Signals. You can follow Jim on Twitter @Jim_IPI, or contact him via e-mail at jpete@indiansprospectinsider.com.
