Cleveland has signed utility man Ryan Raburn and outfielder Ben Francisco to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training, the club announced Monday.
Raburn, 31, played in 66 games for Detroit in 2012 and hit .171/.226/.254 (30 OPS+). The right-hander has a .256/.311/.430 career line (96 OPS+) and has been at his best against left-handed pitching. Raburn has a .256/.324/.472 line in 730 career plate appearances, with 30 of his 54 home runs, against lefties.
Francisco, 31, appeared in 82 games in 2012 for the Blue Jays, Astros and Rays. The righty hit .240/.285/.385 (83 OPS+), the worst offensive season of his career. Francisco has a .257/.326/.425 (101 OPS+) career line. Although he is often used as a platoon outfielder, he hits left-handers (.743 career OPS) nearly as well as he hits right-handers (.755).
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