The Indians have signed 32-year old switch-hitting outfielder Nick Swisher to a 4-year, $56 million dollar deal with a club option for 2017 valued at $14 million bucks.  Swisher played in 148 games for the Yankees last year and he was 146 of 537 (.272 avg, .837 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 24 homers, 93 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  He has now played in 1,209 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 1,085 of 4,241 (.256 avg, .828 OPS) with 684 runs scored, 209 homers, 673 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.  This was a great move for the Indians as Swisher will replace Shin-Soo Choo (he was dealt to the Reds) as the new starting right fielder.

The Indians have signed 28-year old lefty starting pitcher Scott Kazmir to a minor league deal.  Kazmir pitched in 14 games (all starts) in Independent ball last year and he was 3-6 with a 5.34 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP.  Kazmir last pitched in the majors back in 2011 with the Los Angeles Angels.  Kazmir has now pitched in 180 games (179 starts) in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 66-61 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.  Kazmir has been an American League All-Star twice so far in his major league career and he has also won double digit games five times.  Kazmir also led the A.L. in strikeouts once.  It never hurts to give a guy like Kazmir a chance to make a comeback.

The Indians have signed 29-year old righty starter/reliever Joe Martinez to a minor league deal.  Martinez pitched in 1 game (0 starts) for the Diamondbacks last year and he was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP.  He also pitched in 27 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the D-Backs in which he was 10-11 with a 5.39 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.  Martinez has pitched in 19 games (6 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 3-3 with a 6.22 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP.  Martinez will likely start the 2013 season in AAA-ball for the Indians.

The Indians have signed 27-year old lefty swinging catcher Brian Jeroloman to a minor league deal.  He played in 43 games in Rookie+A+AA-ball last year for the Blue Jays and he was 24 of 131 (.183 avg, .468 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 0 homers, 10 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  He has now played in 559 games in his first seven years in the minors and he is 423 of 1,762 (.240 avg, .706 OPS) with 209 runs scored, 26 homers, 202 RBIs and 7 stolen bases.  Jeroloman will likely start the 2013 season in AA-ball.

The Indians have designated 26-year old righty swinging 1B/DH Russ Canzler for assignment.  Canzler played in 130 games in AAA-ball last year for the Indians and he was 129 of 487 (.265 avg, .815 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 22 homers, 79 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  Canzler also played in 26 games for the Indians last year and he was 25 of 93 (.269 avg, .697 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 11 RBIs.  The Indians should try to deal Canzler, because he won’t accept an outright assignment to the minors if he clears waivers.

UPDATE:  (12/22/2012) – The Indians have lost Russ Canzler on waivers to the Blue Jays.

UPDATE II:  (1/2/2012) – The Indians have claimed Russ Canzler off waivers from the Blue Jays.

UPDATE III:  (1/5/2012) – The Indians have lost Russ Canzler off waivers.