Sports

Michael Brantley, Astros finalize $32M, 2-year contract

19 of December 2018

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2018 file photo Cleveland Indians' Michael Brantley runs to first base on a passed ball in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland. A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the Houston Astros have agreed to a two-year deal with free agent outfielder Michael Brantley. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 because the club has not yet announced the move. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, file),FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2018 file photo Cleveland Indians' Michael Brantley runs to first base on a passed ball in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland. A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the Houston Astros have agreed to a two-year deal with free agent outfielder Michael Brantley. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 because the club has not yet announced the move. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, file)

HOUSTON (AP) — Free agent outfielder Michael Brantley and the Houston Astros have finalized a $32 million, two-year contract.

The 31-year-old, whose deal was announced Wednesday, had spent his entire 10-year career with the Cleveland Indians, where he was a three-time All-Star.

Brantley is a career .295 hitter and gives Houston an upgrade to an outfield anchored by center fielder George Springer.

Brantley hit .309 with 17 homers, 36 doubles and 76 RBIs in 143 games last season, making 134 starts in left field. He had a $12 million base salary and earned $100,000 in bonuses.

His best season came in 2014, when he finished third in AL MVP voting after hitting 20 homers with 97 RBIs — both career highs.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports