Cleveland Indians Sign Mark Reynolds

The Cleveland Indians have signed free agent infielder Mark Reynolds, according to MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli.

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Reynolds and the Tribe agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million, with incentives that could push his salary up to $7.5 million. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman first reported that the two sides were close to an agreement Sunday night, though the Indians had been connected to Reynolds for some time.

Reynolds, 29, was non-tendered by the Orioles this winter after hitting .221/.335/.429 with 23 home runs, 69 RBI, and 0.5 fWAR in 135 games. He is known for his prodigious power as well as his penchant for strikeouts (his 223 in 2009 set the all-time single-season record). A former third baseman, he is now generally seen as a liability at the hot corner and best served as a first baseman and/or designated hitter.

Heyman reports that the Indians see Reynolds as a first baseman and that Lonnie Chisenhall will be the presumptive starting third baseman in 2013. The signing presumably means Cleveland is out of the running for Kevin Youkilis, to whom the Tribe reportedly offered a two-year, $18 million contract last week.

Quick reaction: The Indians did well to shore up the biggest hole on the roster for a reasonable price. Reynolds won’t bring back memories of Jim Thome, but inking him for $6 million makes a lot more sense than giving $18 million to Youkilis.