File-This is a 2019 file photo of Cesar Hernandez of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. Free agent second baseman Hernandez signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Cleveland Indians, a person familiar with with negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday, Dec.23, 2019. Hernandez, who spent the past seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, must past a physical later this week before the deal is announced, said the person who spoke on condition anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. (AP Photo/File)
File-This is a 2019 file photo of Cesar Hernandez of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. Free agent second baseman Hernandez signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Cleveland Indians, a person familiar with with negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday, Dec.23, 2019. Hernandez, who spent the past seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, must past a physical later this week before the deal is announced, said the person who spoke on condition anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. (AP Photo/File)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Second baseman César Hernández and the Cleveland Indians finalized a $6.25 million, one-year contract Sunday.
The sides agreed to terms early last week, pending a physical.
The 29-year-old Hernández had spent his entire professional career in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, but they declined to offer him a 2020 contract in his third year of arbitration eligibility. The switch-hitter batted .279 with 14 home runs and 71 RBIs last season. He has played in 161 games each of the past two years.
The Indians were in the market for a second baseman after not picking up veteran Jason Kipnis’ contract option for 2020.
Hernández is a .277 career hitter with 46 homers in seven major league seasons. To make room for him on the roster, catcher Eric Haase was designated for assignment.
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