Grady Sizemore's trip into free agency didn't take him far.
The Cleveland Indians have agreed to terms with the former All-Star outfielder on a one-year, incentive-based contract. It's a deal that could work for both sides if he can stay healthy and on the field.
The Indians declined a $9 million option for 2012 last month on Sizemore, who has undergone five surgeries the past two years and has only played in 210 games the last three seasons because of injuries. Sizemore reportedly drew interest as a free agent from several other teams, but decided to come back to Cleveland.
Sizemore's base salary in 2012 will be $5 million and he can make another $4 million based on plate appearances. The deal also includes an awards package that includes $500,000 if Sizemore is selected comeback player of the year.
"The Indians were aggressive in wanting to keep Grady, and he has said all along he would keep an open mind toward returning," his agent, Joe Urbon, said in an email. "He appreciates the interest from other clubs, and he just felt that the best place to reassert himself as a great player is in Cleveland."
The 29-year-old Sizemore played in only 71 games last season. He went on the disabled list three times and underwent knee surgery on Oct. 3.
When they decided not to pick up Sizemore's option, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti flew to Arizona to personally meet with Sizemore and explain the team's reasons for letting him go. Antonetti said the team was not closing the door on Sizemore and the Indians would gladly re-sign him — at the right price.
That gesture of loyalty, and the team's patience with Sizemore while he was hurt, meant a lot to Sizemore. He has remained one of the club's most popular players despite his medical issues.
With Sizemore back, and assuming he can stay healthy, the Indians' starting outfielder appears to be settled with Sizemore in center, Michael Brantley in left and Shin-Soo Choo in right. The club still needs to add some depth.
With the departure of Tribe outfielder Grady Sizemore, one special group of ladies will have to find another Indian to root for.
Amanda Morgan, one of the founding members of the Grady's Ladies' Sisterhood spoke with AkronNewsNow about how she heard the news of Grady's departure.
"I heard about it being a possibility that he might be leaving, but I heard about the official move today," she said.
"It's one of those things, where it's a buisness, and we know they can't stay forever."
The group, which started in 2005 has hundreds of members, including Amanda, who say that their collective love for the Cleveland Indians inspired the group.
Morgan said that through the power of the Internet and social media, the group took off.
"We just kind of got this idea to start the group, and it took off through the Internet, all the social networks," she said.
"Eventually Grady himself started to notice, and he appreciated it very much."
The group started with Amanda, Tiffany Thomas, Jill Barnett, Hallie Sheck, and Michelle Mielecki, who is now deceased.
"It was our idea," Amanda says. We all loved Grady as a player, and we said to go ahead and come up with the group."
She says that it will be wierd seeing him in a different uniform, but she wishes him the best of luck with his new club.
Now, with Grady gone, Amanda says the Ladies will still be a group, just a different group.
"We've talked about just having a group like Cleveland Ladies that Love Sports, or something like that," she says.
"Either way, we would still continue a group, because that's what Michelle would have wanted."
To Amanda, and the other girls in the group and their friends and associates, this was more than just a group of girls that liked Grady Sizemore, it was a way to build friendships and have an outlet to root on their favorite team, and for them, the group will continue despite Grady's leaving.
Cleveland outfielder Grady Sizemore is expected to travel to Vail, Colorado, for a consultation this coming week on his injured right knee.
Sizemore played only 71 games this season after appearing in 33 in 2010. He opened this season on the DL as he recovered from surgery on his left knee in May of 2010.
Then, Sizemore hurt his right knee and sustained a hernia on the same play while sliding into a base this May. Sizemore also underwent abdominal surgery July 21st.
Sizemore finished the 2011 season with a .224 batting average with 10 home runs and 32 runs batted in.
Sizemore has a club option for $9 million for the 2012 season.
Indians broadcaster Jim Rosenhaus believes the health of Sizemore will go a long way in determining the direction both sides takes.
Cleveland outfielder Grady Sizemore is expected to travel to Vail, Colorado, for a Monday consultation on his injured right knee.
Sizemore has played only 71 games this season after appearing in 33 in 2010. He opened this season on the DL as he recovered from surgery on his left knee in May of 2010.
He then hurt his right knee and sustained a hernia on the same play while sliding into abase this May. Sizemore also underwent abdominal surgery July 21st.
Cleveland Indians Trainer Lonnie Soloff says Sizemore is going to get another opinion on the best possible course of action to deal with the troublesome right knee.
The Indians have a $9 million option they can pick up to keep Sizemore next season, or they can let him become a free agent.
Sizemore finishes the 2011 season with a .224 batting average with 10 home runs and 32 runs batted in.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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