The Indians have signed Andy LaRoche to a minor league contract, the team announced (via Twitter). The deal includes an invitation to big league camp.
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported over the weekend that the Indians were in talks with both LaRoche and Mike Cameron. While the Tribe missed out on Cameron, who agreed to sign a contract with the Nationals, they'll bring LaRoche into the fold to provide depth and injury insurance. GM Chris Antonetti said LaRoche will compete for a spot on the Major League roster, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (Twitter link).
LaRoche, 28, has posted a career slash line of just .226/.305/.337 in parts of five Major League seasons, including a .654 OPS in 104 plate appearances for Oakland in 2011. However, he was long considered a top prospect, having ranked among Baseball America's top 20 prior to both the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Indians are just racking up the firepower. Felix Pie, Cunningham, Jose Lopez, Andy Laroche taking the Columbus Clippers to the promise land!
where has this guy been?
He was with the A’s last season but sent him down to the minors.
Why?
Minor league infield depth.
Poor Andy. He will probably be remembered for only one thing, and it won’t be his sparkling on-field performance.
Ohh, Andy. Get busy livin or get busy dyin…
Some could make the Indians Bench
How the fallen has fallen (further)
If Andy does not make it this time around — the PA or West Virginia softball beer leagues are the next stop.
If the Indians sign anyone else this offseason it should be Scott Kazmir. If he could figure himself out again then he would be a great pickup.