Cleveland Indians lose another free agent as Austin Jackson signs two-year deal with Giants

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Add another name to the list of departed free agents from the roster that helped the Indians win 102 games last season.

Monday night the Giants announced that they'd signed veteran outfielder Austin Jackson to a two-year deal worth $6 million. Jackson, who missed most of the 2016 season because of a left knee injury, revived his career last season with the Tribe after coming to camp on a minor league deal.

Jackson, playing mostly against left-handers, hit .318 (89-for-280) with 19 doubles, seven homers and 35 RBI. He played 85 games, made two trips to the disabled list, and posted a .869 OPS.

He also made the defensive play of the season when he robbed Boston's Hanley Ramirez of a home run by soaring above and then over the five-foot bullpen fence in right center field at Fenway Park on Aug. 1.

The Giants just acquired outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the Pirates. Earlier in the winter they acquired third baseman Evan Longoria from the Rays. Jackson is expected to see playing time at all three outfield spots.

The Indians had seven players from their big league roster hit the free agent market at the end of last season: Carlos Santana, Bryan Shaw, Joe Smith, Jay Bruce, Boone Logan, Craig Breslow and Jackson. They have all signed elsewhere with the exception of Breslow, who is still on the market.

Michael Brantley could have joined that list if the Indians didn't exercise his club option for 2018.

Jackson, 30, hit .352 (43-for-122) with four homers and 15 RBI against lefties last year. He hit .291 (46-for-158) with 20 RBI against righties.

Over the last two years, the Indians have done a good job signing veteran free-agent outfielders and having them provide drama and production to a winning team. There was Jackson last year and Rajai Davis in 2016 when the Indians reached Game 7 of the World Series.

For 2018, it looks like they're betting on Melvin Upton. Last season Upton, formerly known as B.J. Upton, played just 12 games with Class AAA Sacramento, before thumb and shoulder injuries ended his season. He did not appear in a big league game.

Upton, in 2016, hit .238 (117-for-492) with 20 homers and 61 RBI for San Diego and Toronto.

Like Jackson, Upton will report to spring training with the Indians in February on a minor league deal. If he makes the club, he'll earn $1.5 million. Jon Heyman of Fanrags.com reports that Upton has a $100,000 incentive in his contract if he's named comeback player of the year.

Upton has played all three outfield positions and bats right-handed. It's important because the Tribe's three primary outfielders, if healthy, figure to be left-handed hitters Michael Brantley, Bradley Zimmer and Lonnie Chisenhall.

In 2016, Upton hit .275 (33-for-120) vs. lefties and .226 (84-for-372) against righties. In his career, Upton has a slash line of .249/.351/.409 vs. lefties and .242/.309/.399 vs. righties.

Upton could help the running game as well. In 2016, he stole 27 bases in 35 attempts.

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