The rumors have now been made official; Johnny Damon is a Cleveland Indian:
The Indians have officially signed outfielder Johnny Damon.
The 38-year-old reached agreement with Cleveland last week on a one-year, $1.2 million pending a physical. Damon, who needs 277 hits to reach 3,000 for his career, is at the team’s complex in Goodyear, Ariz., preparing to join the Indians. Damon can earn another $1.4 million in performance bonuses.
The physical is likely a formality, since Damon was reported to have been working out all winter expecting to join a team. Since he did not have any competition in spring games, though, the Tribe likely wants him to face some live pitching, which he’ll do in extended-spring-training games.
The Indians could use him in the lineup soon, so don’t expect him to spend too much time in Goodyear.
For more on Damon and the Indians, please visit Let’s Go Tribe and SB Nation Cleveland.