Cleveland has been busy looking for depth in the free agent market. On June 17th, the Indians signed third baseman Morgan Ensberg, released this season by the New York Yankees. The Tribe hopes he can make a comeback after finishing fourth in the MVP voting in 2005 when he hit .283 with 36 homers and 101 RBI’s for the Houston Astros. Ensberg was sent to Triple-A Buffalo.
On June 24th, Cleveland signed veteran infielder Tony Graffainino and relief pitcher Juan Rincon to minor league deals. Graffanino, 35 years old, entered the league in 1995 with Atlanta. After playing for 6 different teams, he now joins the Indians with .267 career batting average.
Juan Rincon, released by Minnesota on June 12th, was picked up by the Indians to add depth to the pitching staff. Cleveland hopes he can find his command after posting a 6.11 ERA in 24 relief appearances this year. Rincon has a 3.69 career ERA and 1.35 career WHIP. Both Graffainino and Rincon will report to Triple-A Buffalo.
All three players are a good bet to see playing time at the major league level. The Indians are running out of options at DH with Travis Hafner still sidelined and could turn to Ensberg for help. Tony Graffainino holds a career .977 fielding percentage and has experience at first, second, third, short, and outfield. The Tribe might call upon him as a utility player. Juan Rincon is the likeliest to wear an Indians uniform before the all star break because of Cleveland’s ongoing bullpen crisis. Rick Bauer and Edward Mujica are top candidates to be sent down to make room for the 29-year-old reliever.
