Cleveland Indians Re-Sign 2B Hernandez

CLEVELAND -- The Indians couldn't afford to keep Francisco Lindor -- or let Cesar Hernandez go.

Weeks after dealing Lindor and starter Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets and cutting $32 million from its payroll, Cleveland signed Hernandez to a $5 million contract, one-year after the second baseman's Gold Glove season with the club.

Hernandez will return for a second season with the Indians, who signed him as a free agent to a $6.25 million, one-year contract late in 2019 after he spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hernandez agreed earlier this week to the new deal, which includes a $6 million club option in 2022 with no buyout. The contract was finalized Friday after he completed medical tests.

The 30-year-old Hernandez was an invaluable addition last season. He led the AL with 20 doubles and helped the Indians secure a wild-card berth. He batted .283 with three homers, 20 RBIs and 35 runs in 58 games of the pandemic-abbreviated season.

Defensively, he teamed with Lindor to give Cleveland one of baseball's strongest middle infields. Now, the Indians will count on him to bring stability after Lindor's departure, which has left a gaping hole on the left side.

Cleveland acquired middle infielders Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez from the Mets in the Jan. 7 trade of Lindor, a four-time All-Star who was entering his final year under contract and had rejected numerous long-term offers from Cleveland.

AP source: Indians, OF Rosario agree on free agent contract

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Indians have agreed with free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario on a contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Friday night.

The Indians know the 29-year-old Rosario well as he's spent the past six seasons with the AL Central rival Minnesota Twins. Rosario's deal is pending the completion of a physical, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the medical tests aren't finished.

Rosario would be a huge addition for Cleveland's outfield, which has been an issue for the past two seasons as the team has used a platoon of players.

Rosario had his best season in 2019, when he reached career-highs with 32 homers and 109 RBIs in 137 games. During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Rosario batted .257 with 13 homers and drove in 42 runs in 57 games.

A left-handed hitter, Rosario has a career .277 average with 119 homers and 388 RBIs.

The agreement with Rosario came a few hours after the Indians officially signed second baseman Cesar Hernandez to a $5 million contract for 2021. Hernandez is coming back for a second season with the Indians, who signed him as a free agent late in 2019 after he spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hernandez's deal includes a $6 million club option in 2022 with no buyout.