Cleveland Indians Sign Ryan Raburn

May 4, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ryan Raburn (25) flips the ball to first for an out during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Raburn won’t be tormenting Tigers fans from the inside any longer, but there’s still a chance that he could play a part in driving baseball fans in Detroit crazy with frustration. Raburn and the Cleveland Indians agreed to terms on a minor league deal that would allow him to participate in Major League Spring Training.

Again, it’s a minor league deal so there are no guarantees he makes the team, but he’s made a pattern of strong showings in camp. And if he has any sort of decent spring, he could very well crack their 25-man roster as an infielder/outfielder.

Ryan Raburn may or may not ever emerge as the plus power bat he showed flashes of being (seemingly) every August and September, but he’s had a rough couple of years now and will be 32 years old in 2013. Of course, he could still hit something like .200/.250/.300 on the year and put up .300/.350/.500 numbers against the Tigers, right*? Just our luck.

*Probably not, actually, since the Tigers’ starting rotation is decidedly right-handed dominant, and Raburn has only found much success in his career versus left-handed pitching.