Indians sign three players to minor league deals

Fred Lewis

The Cleveland Indians today have announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Fred Lewis and right-handed pitcher Jeremy Accardo to minor league contracts with non-roster invitations to Major League spring training camp.

Lewis, 31, is a career .267 hitting in the Major Leagues with 91 2B, 21 3B, 27 HR and 136 RBI in 517 combined games with the San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds. His 11 triples in 2008 were tied for second in the National League and he also stole 21 bases while with the SF Giants. Last season he played in just 81 games with the Reds and hit .230 with 7 2B, 3 HR and 19 RBI. He began the season on the disabled list because of a strained right oblique.

Accardo, 30, has made 235 career Major League appearances with the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants and has a 4.22 ERA and 52 saves (247.1 IP, 246 H, 95 BB, 176 K, .261 AVG). His best season was in 2007 with the Blue Jays when he filled in for injured closer BJ Ryan and went 4-4 with 30 saves and a 2.14 ERA in 64 games. Last year he split time in the big leagues with the Orioles (31 G, 5.73 ERA) and Triple-A Norfolk (26 G, 2.16 ERA).

Both players are considered more as depth options for Triple-A Columbus and should not factor into things in Cleveland unless a rash of injuries occur. There is also unofficial word that the Indians have signed infielder Gregorio Petit to a minor league deal (no invite to ML spring training).

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Posted in: Fred Lewis,Gregorio Petit,Jeremy Accardo