Another massive deal the week of pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training: All-Star outfielder Michael Bourn has signed a four-year deal worth $48 million with the Cleveland Indians, reported Jon Heyman earlier today.
The deal includes a $12 million option year.
Bourn will add more stability to the Tribe outfielde, which earlier this offseason saw Shin-Soo Choo dealt to the Cincinnati Reds and Grady Sizemore reduced to the disabled list to begin the 2013 season.
The Choo deal brought Drew Stubbs to Cleveland as well, but Bourn will more than likely move Stubbs to a part-time role. Other scenarios exist, as pointed out on the SBNation Cleveland Indians site LetsGoTribe, which predicts Stubbs platooning in left field with Michael Brantley, either Stubbs or Brantley being traded before the season begins or perhaps even newly-signed Nick Swisher moving to the infield to make way for a Stubbs, Brantley, Bourn outfield.
Bourn, with two gold gloves and as many All-Star Game appearances, is a seven-year veteran of the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. In 871 appearances, Bourn has a .272 batting average with a .339 on-base percentage.
The center fielder's best season came in 2011, where he hit for a .349 on-base percentage, stole 61 bases and totaled 193 hits.
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