W-OLF
03-29-2006, 04:24 PM
Indians Sign Sizemore to Six-Year Deal
Published: 3/29/06, 9:45 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Popular center fielder Grady Sizemore signed a six-year contract Wednesday with Cleveland, another step by the Indians of locking up young players with long-term deals.
The agreement includes a club option for the 2012 season.
Sizemore has played only one full season in the majors, but the 23-year-old outfielder did enough to impress the Indians. He batted .289 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs in 158 games last season. He also scored 111 runs, had 22 steals and became the second Indians player to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season. He was the only player in the majors to reach those numbers last season.
"We are committed to building and sustaining a championship team and Grady - as one of the most talented young players in the game today - is the kind of player and person that can help lead us to that goal," general manager Mark Shapiro said.
The length of contract mirrors that of deals the Indians gave to shortstop Jhonny Peralta (five years, $13 million) and catcher Victor Martinez (five years, $15.5 million).
The Indians also are trying to sign Cliff Lee, who went 18-5 last season, to a long-term deal. Cleveland also has designated hitter Travis Hafner and left-hander C.C. Sabathia under contract through 2007 with club options for 2008.
The Indians acquired Sizemore in 2002 from Montreal in the deal that sent ace Bartolo Colon to the Expos.
Sizemore's hustle and humility have made him a favorite with teammates and fans. The Indians' female fan base has taken a particular liking to Sizemore. The team sold 200 "Mrs. Sizemore" T-shirts on the first day they were made available at Jacobs Field.
credit BellSouth
Published: 3/29/06, 9:45 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Popular center fielder Grady Sizemore signed a six-year contract Wednesday with Cleveland, another step by the Indians of locking up young players with long-term deals.
The agreement includes a club option for the 2012 season.
Sizemore has played only one full season in the majors, but the 23-year-old outfielder did enough to impress the Indians. He batted .289 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs in 158 games last season. He also scored 111 runs, had 22 steals and became the second Indians player to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season. He was the only player in the majors to reach those numbers last season.
"We are committed to building and sustaining a championship team and Grady - as one of the most talented young players in the game today - is the kind of player and person that can help lead us to that goal," general manager Mark Shapiro said.
The length of contract mirrors that of deals the Indians gave to shortstop Jhonny Peralta (five years, $13 million) and catcher Victor Martinez (five years, $15.5 million).
The Indians also are trying to sign Cliff Lee, who went 18-5 last season, to a long-term deal. Cleveland also has designated hitter Travis Hafner and left-hander C.C. Sabathia under contract through 2007 with club options for 2008.
The Indians acquired Sizemore in 2002 from Montreal in the deal that sent ace Bartolo Colon to the Expos.
Sizemore's hustle and humility have made him a favorite with teammates and fans. The Indians' female fan base has taken a particular liking to Sizemore. The team sold 200 "Mrs. Sizemore" T-shirts on the first day they were made available at Jacobs Field.
credit BellSouth