Tribe and Blake Agree on a One-Year Deal
The Indians have once again avoided arbitration as earlier today they signed the last unsigned guy - the wonderful Casey Blake. The team and Casey agreed on a one-year deal. As stated below, the team has not gone to arbitration since 1991. Below is the presser from the Tribe on the deal.
CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed INF CASEY BLAKE to a one-year Major League contract for the 2008 Championship Season, avoiding arbitration.
Blake, 34, had a very consistent season as he batted .270 (159-588) with 81 runs scored, 36 doubles, 4 triples, 18HR and 78 RBI in 156 games for the Indians. The versatile Blake started the season as the club’s first baseman and reserve outfielder and moved to third base in late April after Andy Marte was injured and optioned, which stabilized the position and sparked the club. He hit in a career-high 26 straight games from May 20 through June 17th, which was the longest hitting streak in the American League in 2007 and tied for the 7th longest in franchise history with Dale Mitchell in 1953. Overall on the year he made 134 starts at third base (145G) compiling a fielding percentage of .962 (371TC, 14E), which ranked 7th in the AL. He also made 5 starts at first base (12G) and 7 starts in right field, the last of which came on April 22. From August 31st through the end of the season he batted .311 (28-90) with 3HR and 17RBI in 27 games. For the season Blake averaged 4.17 pitches per plate appearance, which ranked 11th among all AL batters. During the postseason he batted .256 (11-43) with a HR and 4RBI.
Blake owns a career Major League average of .263 with 107HR and 366 RBI in 763 games since breaking into the Majors with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999 after being selected by Toronto in the 7th round of the 1996 draft. He was signed by the Indians as a free agent in 2002 and spent his first full season in the big leagues with Cleveland in 2003. In 2004 he hit a career-best 28HR with 88RBI.
With the signing of Blake, the Indians have not gone to arbitration with a player since 1991.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
