Indians Sign Free Agent Cordero

The Cleveland Indians, seeking their fifth straight division title, signed troubled Wil Cordero to a one-year contract Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Cordero became a free agent when the Chicago White Sox failed to pick up his 1999 contract option worth $2 million.

The 27-year-old Cordero, who plays first base or the outfield, was released by the Boston Red Sox after the 1997 campaign and later pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting his wife. He avoided jail time as part of an agreement with Massachusetts authorities.

The native of Puerto Rico signed with the White Sox shortly before last season and homered in his first at-bat. Cordero played just 96 games for Chicago, hitting .267 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI.

The Indians will likely use Cordero as a designated hitter.

Cordero is currently playing for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he is batting .333 (32-for-96) with six homers and 23 RBI in 26 games.

An All-Star in 1994 with the Montreal Expos, Cordero appeared in 140 games for the Red Sox in 1997 and batted .281 while posting career highs with 18 homers and 72 RBI. He hit .294 with 15 homers and 63 RBI for the Expos in 1994 and is a lifetime .278 hitter with 71 homers and 336 RBI over seven seasons.

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