Cleveland Indians Sign Free Agent Juan Uribe

The Cleveland Indians Sign Juan Uribe to One-Year Deal

According to multiple sources, the Cleveland Indians have signed free agent third baseman Juan Uribe to a one-year deal today (pending a physical), including ESPN’s  Buster Olney:

No word yet on how long it will take Uribe to get to camp with the Indians but he’s got almost two weeks before spring games start. Position players don’t even have to report until next week as well (though many are already in camp).  Uribe brings tons of experience to the Cleveland Indians who remain a relatively young ballclub.  Uribe has 15 seasons under his belt now having played for the six different teams (including three in 2015 alone).  Uribe also brings playoff experience having just been a part of the New York Mets World Series team.

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Uribe will turn 37 next month; however, he’s proven that age is just a number as he’s been one of the best overall third basemen in the game the last three seasons with a 10.5 fWAR in that span (ninth highest in baseball).  Uribe is coming off somewhat of a “down” season for him as he only posted a 1.9 fWAR and 104 wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created).  Still managed to hit 14 home runs and played his usual above average defense. In fact, over the last three seasons, Uribe has posted the fourth best DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) among all big league third basemen at +33 runs saved. Only Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado, and Josh Donaldson have been better in that time.  This lines up with the Indians moves to improve the defense with Lonnie Chisenhall now in right field, Abraham Almonte in center field, Mike Napoli at first base, and, of course, Francisco Lindor at shortstop.

The signing of Uribe likely will push Giovanny Urshela to Triple-A Columbus, at least to start the year.  While Uribe isn’t an everyday guy he’s proven capable of handling duties most days and with Jose Ramirez the likely utility player, keeping a second backup infielder just doesn’t seem likely.  Honestly, this is probably for the best with Urshela as he struggled with the bat in 2015 and probably could stand for some more time in the minors. Wouldn’t be the first prospect to need more seasoning (Chisenhall was up and down several times, for example). We are also still waiting to hear who loses their 40-man roster spot to accommodate Uribe. Players at risk include Austin Adams, Jesus Aguilar, Dan Otero, Joey Butler, and possibly Zach Walters.

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All in all, this is a very solid signing by the Indians. A clear upgrade at a position where the offense looked very bleak on paper while not hurting the defense either.  Uribe is a player that I personally have liked for a number of years now and wish the Tribe had gone harder after in 2014.  He’s also been the subject of a few articles here at Wahoo’s on First this offseason.  So fellow Wahoos, what do you think of this signing? Like it? Hate it? Indifferent?  Let us know in the comments section below.