Indians sign OF Rajai Davis
The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed free agent OF RAJAI DAVIS to a Major League contract for the 2016 season.
Davis, 35, recently completed his second season with the Detroit Tigers, hitting .258 (88-341) with 16 doubles, 11 triples, 8 home runs and 30 RBI in 112 games (.306/.440/.746). He finished tied for third in the American League in triples (career-high 11) and equaled his career-best with 8 home runs. He was named Tigers Player of the Month for September, hitting .344 (21-61) with 10 runs, 1 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR & 12 RBI in 18 games. The versatile outfielder appeared in 46 games in center field (537 for career), 39 games (370 career) in left field and 10 games in right field for the A.L. Central Detroit Tigers. He stole 18 bases on the year, including 3 against the Indians on April 25 in Progressive Field.
The New London, CT native owns a ten-year Major League career batting average of .269 (870-3233) with 176 2B, 38 3B, 43 home runs and 305 RBI in 1067 games since debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006, spending the last eight seasons in the American League. His 322 career stolen bases are 7th among active Major League players, placing in the top ten in the American League in steals six times during his career. The right-handed hitting outfielder owns a career average of .296 (323-1090) against left-handed pitching with 71 2B, 17 3B and 20 home runs (.351/.448/.798).
To allow room on the 40-man roster for Davis the Indians have designated INF CHRIS JOHNSON for assignment.