The Cleveland Indians and outfielder Matt Joyce have agreed to a contract, the journeyman outfielder announced Friday via Twitter.
Really excited to announce I’ve agreed to sign with the @Indians Spring training starts in a week, this off-season flew by... Hope to see you at one of the games this season! #GoTribe ⚾️
— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) February 8, 2019
The minor-league contract is worth $1.25 million at the major-league level, plus an additional $500,000 in incentives, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.
Joyce, 34, is an 11-year veteran who has spent time with five clubs, most recently playing the 2018 season with the Oakland Athletics.
Over 83 games last year, Joyce posted a .675 OPS with seven home runs in a campaign plagued by back injuries. Over the previous decade, Joyce had owned a .776 OPS, averaging 13 homers per season.
Joyce joins an Indians outfield that was among the worst in the league last year by wRC+ and one that is dealing with the loss of Michael Brantley, Lonnie Chisenhall, Rajai Davis, and Brandon Guyer. Cleveland's outfield now consists of Tyler Naquin, Leonys Martin, and Greg Allen, with Bradley Zimmer returning from shoulder surgery.
