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SPORTS Friday 22 december 2017

AP source: Indians agree to $16M, 2-year deal with 1B Alonso

By TOM WITHERS in stints with Oakland and base.
AP Sports Writer Seattle. A left-handed hit- Alonso, who also has
CLEVELAND (AP) — The In- ter, Alonso has credited played for Cincinnati and
dians didn’t take long to changing his swing with the San Diego, has a .268 ca-
cover their opening at first up-tick in power numbers. reer batting average with
base. Santana left a sizeable void 67 homers and 306 RBIs. The
After losing Carlos Santa- in Cleveland’s lineup after Mariners acquired him from
na to Philadelphia in free agreeing to a a $60 million, the Athletics in a trade last
agency, Cleveland agreed three-year contract with August.
to a $16 million, two-year Philadelphia. Santana was Also on Friday, the Indi-
contract with first baseman a dependable, switch-hit- ans made minor league
Yonder Alonso, a person fa- ting threat in manager Terry deals official with outfielder
miliar with the negotiations Francona’s lineup. Melvin Upton Jr. and right-
told the Associated Press. Alonso’s signing would hander Alexi Ogando.
The 30-year-old will take seem to end any specula- Both players will be at big
a physical on Thursday to tion about either Michael league training camp in
finalize the deal, said the Brantley or Jason Kipnis Goodyear, Arizona.
person, who spoke on con- moving to first. Brantley is If healthy, the 33-year-old In this Aug. 14, 2017, file photo, Seattle Mariners’ Yonder Alonso
dition of anonymity be- back despite the All-Star Upton could give the Indi- doubles against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a
cause the team has not an- outfielder’s almost con- ans more outfield depth baseball game in Seattle.
nounced the agreement. stant injuries the past two and speed. He was limited ers with 300 career steals. games for Atlanta last sea-
Alonso hit a career-high seasons, and Kipnis moved to just 12 games last sea- Ogando, who began his son. The 34-year-old has
28 homers last season and to the outfield last season son because of right thumb career as an outfielder in also pitched for Texas, ap-
became a first-time All-Star. so the Indians could keep and shoulder injuries. Upton Oakland’s system, went pearing in 18 postseason
He batted .266 with 67 RBIs Jose Ramirez at second is sixth among active play- 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in 36 games.q

Carlos Santana’s team-first attitude attracted Phillies

By ROB MAADDI pitchers work,” Klentak onstrate (leadership) char-
AP Sports Writer said. “There are few play- acteristics and it’s impor-
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Car- ers in baseball who are as tant to him,” Kapler said.
los Santana’s unselfish atti- good at that as Carlos.” The addition of Santana
tude made him a perfect fit Kapler said it’s more likely gives the Phillies a surplus
for the Philadelphia Phillies. that Santana will play first of solid outfielders. Hoskins,
Santana’s $60 million, base with slugger Rhys Odubel Herrera, Nick Wil-
three-year deal with a Hoskins in left field. liams and Aaron Altherr
club option was finalized But he also praised Santa- each have shown they can
Wednesday, when he was na’s willingness to do what- be regular players. Klentak
introduced at a news con- ever it takes to win and put said that doesn’t mean
ference. the team first. he’ll make a trade be-
New manager Gabe Kapler Santana has batted fourth cause new-school baseball
helped Santana put on a or fifth in the lineup in 66 requires versatility and flex-
white-and-red pinstriped percent (729 of 1,102) of his ibility on a roster.
jersey and general man- career starts but also has hit Despite finishing last in the
ager Matt Klentak handed Philadelphia Phillies newly signed first baseman Carlos Santana leadoff 122 times. NL East at 66-96, the Phil-
him a red Phillies cap. speaks to the media during an introductory baseball press “He can handle any part of lies improved in the sec-
“I’m excited,” Santana conference in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. the lineup,” Kapler said. ond half as young play-
said. “I know Philly has a lot $17.5 million in 2020. Phila- ers and 81 RBIs in his career. The Phillies lost their club- ers like Hoskins, Williams,
of younger players, but my delphia’s 2021 option is for The Phillies placed high house leader when they J.P. Crawford and Jorge
decision to sign here was $17.5 million with a $500,000 value on his ability to draw traded shortstop Freddy Alfaro joined the lineup.
because they want me, buyout. walks and work the count. Galvis to San Diego. San- They were 35-35 in the last
they believe in me.” Santana had spent all eight Santana has averaged 98 tana is expected to help fill 70 games and 39-37 overall
Santana gets a $10 mil- of his big league seasons in walks per season. that void. against NL East opponents.
lion signing bonus payable Cleveland. He hit 23 home “It’s our goal to put forth He’s been part of a winning Adding Santana seemingly
within 60 days of the con- runs with 79 RBIs in 2017. a lineup every day one environment with the Indi- accelerates the rebuilding
tract’s approval by the The 31-year-old switch-hit- through eight of players ans and understands the process.
commissioner’s office and ter has batted .249 with a who grind at-bats, take importance of team chem- “We’re genuinely excited
salaries of $15 million next .365 on-base percentage pitches, work walks, hit for istry. about the organization’s
year, $17 million in 2019 and and has averaged 24 hom- power, make opposing “This is a guy who can dem- future,” Klentak said.q