Cleveland Indians sign veteran shortstop Julio Lugo to Minor League contract
With the next Major League season fast approaching, the Cleveland Indians’ preparations are more enduring as they recently added a veteran shortstop to their farm system.
Julio Lugo, who last played for the Atlanta Braves, signed a Minor League contract with the Indians on late Saturday night with an invitation to attend next Spring Training sessions to play an active role for their big team in Cleveland.
Though, no official statement has come out in the media regarding this late deal, but some inside MLB sources have speculated in the media that the deal was done between two sides as it just needs an official confirmation.
Later, a renowned journalist Dionisio Soldevila commented on social media website, which states, “Julio Lugo signed a minor league contract with the Indians with an invitation to Spring Training with the big league club.”
Some media reports suggest Lugo, a Dominican Republic native, is the 20th non roster invitee of the offseason for the Cleveland Indians including Jose Lopez, Andy LaRoche and Gregorio Petit.
Experts believe that there are two main reasons for bringing Lugo into the Indians roster. First, the Indians are in profound need of a good shortstop for the past two seasons and secondly, the Indians current manager Manny Acta has a long relationship with Lugo.
Acta previously has seen Lugo’s game when he used to manage the Houston Astros in the past. Now as Lugo was a free agent, Acta played a tactical game and brought him into the Indians roster for a better season next year.
Lugo, who not only has huge experience in the League, but he always remained consistent providing a potential backup to his franchise’s Major League teams.
His track record playing for Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves, is exceptional and always provided their League teams with his best potentials.
Last year, Lugo had a hitting average of .136 with three RBIs and slightly consistent .208 OBP. His arrival in the Indians roster is a good sign as he will be providing them a strong backup at shortstop position as well.
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