Indians to sign Juan Uribe

The Cleveland Indians have agreed to terms with infielder Juan Uribe, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported on Friday. 

According to a report from Buster Olney of ESPN, Uribe agreed to a one-year deal worth $4 million plus incentives. The deal is still pending a physical. 

Cleveland has needed infield help for some time now, but they have been unwilling to spend big on free agents. Though a modest signing, Uribe should come in as the starting third baseman in Cleveland. They did not have a legitimate option there last year. 

In fact, Indians' third basemen were the third-worst in the Majors last season in wRC+, with a 72 mark. Offense was scarce for Cleveland third basemen, but overall, they were worth 1.2 fWAR due to solid defense. Even still, that was 23rd in the Majors. 

Uribe, soon to be 37, hit for a .253/.320/.417 slash line last season, playing for the Dodgers, Braves, and Mets. He swatted 14 home runs and drove in 43 RBIs in 397 plate appearances. According to FanGraphs, he was worth 1.9 Wins Above Replacement. 

Despite his age, Uribe was still an above-average contribution on both sides of the ball. 

Over his career, Uribe has a .256/.303/.421 slash line in 15 Major League seasons. He has been worth a combined 24.4 fWAR. 

--Devan Fink

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