One of the three marquee Indians free agents hitting the open market this winter has found his new home.
Michael Brantley reached an agreement Monday night on a two-year deal with the Houston Astros, according to report from Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network and The Athletic.
The reported deal is valued at $32 million. Yahoo's Jeff Passan added that Brantley will rotate between left field, first base and designated hitter, giving a talented but top-heavy Astros lineup another weapon.
Brantley turned in a terrific performance last season, rewarding the Indians for picking up his club option. He hit .309 with an .832 OPS, 17 home runs, 36 doubles and 76 RBIs en route to his third All-Star selection and second in a row.
"This has been an honor," Brantley said in October when asked if Game 3 of the American League Division Series was his last with the Indians. "It's been an honor to wear that uniform. It's been an honor. Every player I've played with in this organization, for all the help everybody gave me, it was always appreciated. It will never be forgotten."
In a smaller signing, the New York Mets inked Rajai Davis to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Davis hit .224 and stole 21 bases with the Indians in 101 games last season, but his home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series _ one of the biggest hits in Indians franchise history _ will always be his calling card relating to his time in Cleveland.
