Comeback For Sizemore?

Grady Sizemore, 29 year old centerfielder, re-signs with the Cleveland Indians. It is a 1 year deal worth $5 million and a $4 million incentive based on plate appearance and another $0.5 million if he’s named comeback player of the year. The last 3 seasons for Sizemore have been derailed by injury, multiple knee surgeries, which have limited the productiveness of the former all-star. The club had declined a $9 million option for this season, but Sizemore could still earn that much, as long as he stays healthy. It really is a deal that is good for both sides. The incentive nature of the contract, and the fact that it’s only one year in length, protects the Indians if Sizemore continues on his injury hindered ways. But he was a very good player and if you can get Sizemore prior to his string of injuries at nine mil, then that’s a bargain. What this deal does for Sizemore is allow him to prove himself. He can almost double the value of his contract if he plays well and plays a full season, and if that happens, next year he will be much more likely to get a big deal when hitting the free agent market.  Sizemore was happy to stay in Cleveland as he has a great respect for the franchise sticking by him through the last few years. There were other offers on the table from other clubs, but Grady was pretty much going back to Cleveland if he could help it. I think this is a good move for the Indians who were a serious contender for much of the season last year, giving them back a guy of Sizemore’s caliber, should help them make a run at the AL Central this season, and Grady deserves a chance like this from some team. If I had to pick who I thought would be comeback player of the year in 2012 today, I would probably have to say Sizemore would be my favorite at this point. We’ll see if he can stay healthy.