The Cleveland Indians have signed outfielder Ben Francisco and infielder-outfielder Ryan Raburn to minor-league deals that include invitations to major league camp. Francisco returns to Cleveland after hitting .240 with four home runs in 82 games with the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Rays in 2012. The former fifth round pick by Cleveland in 2002 Francisco has hit .281 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI over 106 games played in Progressive Field.
Raburn hit .171 with one home run in 66 games with the Tigers in 2012. Raburn has spent his entire career with Detroit batting .256 with 95 doubles, 54 homers and 216 RBI in 566 games since 2004. He owns a .311 on-base percentage and .430 slugging percentage and plays both the infield and the outfield. Over his career Raburn has appeared in 396 games in the outfield and 143 at second base.
Raburn suffered through an injury plagued 2012, and eventually lost his job to Omar Infante. Raburn adds a measure of flexibility for Cleveland manager Terry Francona to utilize. Late last month the entrance made a big splash signing bringing free-agent Nick Swisher on board with a four-year contract worth $56 million.
