Chris Johnson Designated for Assignment
The Indians announced that Chris Johnson was DFA’d today to make room on the roster for OF Rajai Davis. Davis was signed to a one-year deal yesterday for 5.5 million. Johnson is owed 16.5 million over the next two years (7.5 in ’16, and 9.0 in ’17) plus a one million dollar buyout for 2018. This move clears up the log-jam the Indians had at first base after the signing of Mike Napoli. Johnson could’ve moved to third or the outfield, but with Urshela and Johnson’s poor defense it wouldn’t have made much sense.
Johnson hit .289 with 7 RBI and 1 HR in his 27 games with the Tribe last year.
MORE ON DAVIS: https://goo.gl/QchRRi
The Indians also signed lefty reliever Joe Thatcher to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. He will earn one million if he makes the major league club with a possibility to make 2.2 million with incentives according to Chris Cotillo.
He posted a 1-2 record to go along with a 3.18 ERA with the Astros last year.
