The Indians on Wednesday night completed their second small trade of the offseason, acquiring outfielder Collin Cowgill from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.
Cowgill, 29, is well traveled, having spent time with Arizona, Oakland, the New York Mets and the Angels since 2011. Last season was a struggle, as he hit just .188 and played in only 55 games while missing most of the season with a sprained right wrist.
The right-handed hitting Cowgill owns a lifetime .271 batting average against left-handed pitchers and has played all three outfield spots, making him at least an option in center field and as part of a platoon with Lonnie Chisenhall in right field.
Cowgill also gives the Indians an additional option to fill in for Michael Brantley in left field should his recovery from shoulder surgery stretch into the regular season.
“We feel Collin really improves upon the alternatives we had prior to the deal,” Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said on a conference call.
“One of the things we like is his versatility and the fact that he’s really capable of playing all three outfield spots and playing them pretty well.
“And with us being predominantly left-handed in the outfield, his right-handed bat complements the group of guys we have really well.”
The Indians agreed to terms with Cowgill, who was arbitration eligible, on a $1 million contract for the 2016 season.
The Indians in November sent considerations to Tampa Bay for relief pitcher Kirby Yates.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Indians designated left-handed reliever Nick Hagadone for assignment and did not tender him a contract for the 2016 season.
Hagadone is still recovering from surgery after he fractured a small bone in his throwing elbow in July.
The original timetable put his return sometime in the spring. Prior to his injury, he struck out 28 in 27⅓ innings with an ERA of 4.28.
The Indians, according to Antonetti, still have interest in retaining Hagadone heading into the 2016 season.
“We’re still hopeful Nick will be able to contribute some way in 2016 and we definitely have interest in bringing him back,” Antonetti said.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ