CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians brought back Jim Thome last season. However, they have no plans to reunite with Manny Ramirez.
General manager Chris Antonetti said Friday he doesn’t see a fit with his club and Ramirez, who recently applied for reinstatement to Major League Baseball after he was suspended 100 games for failed drug tests. Ramirez spent eight seasons with Cleveland before leaving as a free agent in 2000. Antonetti, who has been looking to add a big bat to a team that contended for much of 2011 before fading in September, said Ramirez is “probably not the best positional fit for us.”
Last season, the Indians traded for Thome, bringing the franchise home run leader back for the final five weeks. Thome has since signed with the Phillies.
The Indians remain interested in acquiring a first baseman. Carlos Pena and Casey Kotchman are potential free agent targets.
