Indians, Michael Bourn reportedly agree to 4-year deal

Free agent outfielder Michael Bourn apparently is headed to the Indians. (AP)

The Indians and outfielder Michael Bourn have agreed to terms on a four-year, $48 million contract on Monday, according to multiple reports. Bourn was considered to be the most coveted free agent hitter remaining on the market. This is another big acquisition for the Indians this offseason, as they signed Nick Swisher to a four-year, $56 million deal in January.

Bourn is a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner. With the Braves last year, he hit .274 with nine home runs, 57 RBIs, and 42 steals while making the National League All-Star team. The deal is pending a physical, which Bourn is expected to take later this week in Goodyear, Ariz.

The acquisition of the speedster will cost the Indians picks in June’s amateur draft, but the deal should help Cleveland close the gap on the division-rival Tigers.

Bourn is a career .272 hitter and most likely will form the starting outfield with Swisher and Michael Brantley. The Indians have been extremely active this offseason, also signing Jason Giambi and Daisuke Matsuzaka to minor league deals. Matsuzaka’s deal is pending a physical.

The team is coming off of a disappointing 68-94 campaign, but beginning with the hiring of new manager Terry Francona, the team looks on paper to be much improved.

Leave a Reply