The Cleveland Indians have a new closer, signing former the former Brewers save specialist, and free agent John Axford. Axford finished last season in a late inning set-up role with the St. Louis Cardinals after a mid-season trade. The deal is for one year and worth $4.5 million.
The right-hander can earn another $1.75 million in performance bonuses based on games finished: $250,000 for 38 and $300,000 apiece for every additional 5 saves up to 63.
Axford saved 46 games in 2011, and 35 games in 2012, but eventually lost the closers role in Milwaukee. He is expected to take that role for the Indians who released their closer, Chris Perez, following the end of the MLB season.
The 30-year-old Simcoe, Ontario native was 7-7 in 75 appearances last season. He pitched 65 innings with 65 strikeouts, 26 walks, a 4.02 ERA, and 1.52 WHIP. However his numbers were better with St. Louis than they were with Milwaukee. He has a career 3.29 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 106 saves.
Axford said that Terry Francona was very influential in his decision to choose the Indians and that he liked his honest and up front approach to the situation.
“He was very, very up front with me,” Axford said.
He also stated that Cleveland’s strong performance in 2013 was also a factor in his decision.
“There were certainly other teams in the mix,” Axford said. “They had a great season last year. It seemed like a team I would want to pitch for.”
“We thought he was the right guy to take a chance on,” Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. “We feel like we added an experienced, power arm to the back of our bullpen.”
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