CLEVELAND -- The Indians avoided salary arbitration with new catcher Kevin Plawecki, who agreed to a one-year contract for $1,137,500 on Wednesday.
Plawecki was acquired Sunday from the New York Mets. He made $557,471 last season, when he batted .201 with seven homers and a career-high 30 RBIs.
Cleveland needed another experienced catcher after trading prospect Francisco Mejia at last year's trade deadline and sending All-Star Yan Gomes to Washington in December. Plawecki could share time with Roberto Perez.
The 27-year-old Plawecki spent six weeks last season on the disabled list with a broken left hand. He threw out 23 percent (16-for-70) of potential base stealers and had two four-RBI games.
After signing Wilson Ramos, the Mets didn't have any roster space for Plawecki, who was out of options.