Colorado Rockies sign free agent outfielder Ryan Raburn to minor league contract

The Colorado Rockies signed veteran infielder-outfielder Ryan Raburn to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League spring training on Friday morning. Raburn, 34, can request his release from the club by March 28 if he's not in line to make the big league club, according to a report from Jon Heyman.

Should he make the Major League team out of camp, Raburn will earn $1.5 million this season with the Rockies, also according to Heyman's reporting.

A veteran of ten Major League seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, Raburn has played first, second, and third base as well as all three outfield positions in the big leagues. Most recently, over the last three seasons with the Indians, he has predominantly played left and right field.

Across his big league career, in 2,409 plate appearances, the righty has slashed .256/.318/.440 with 136 doubles and 82 home runs in 809 games. Last summer in 82 games with the Indians, Raburn had one of the best years of his career, though shortened to just 201 plate appearances; he slashed .301/.393/.543 with 16 doubles, eight home runs, and 23 walks against 44 strikeouts.

Now coming to the Rockies and the National League for the first time in his career, Raburn will compete with the likes of Brandon Barnes for an outfield bench spot ahead of Opening Day in about a month.