The Cleveland Indians needed a little bit of help in the outfield entering the 2017 season. Rajai Davis departed for Oakland, Bradley Zimmer didn’t quite appear to be ready, Michael Brantley’s health terrified everyone, and no one knew exactly what to expect out of Landon Guyerhall or Abraham Almonte.
As an insurance policy, the Indians signed Austin Jackson to a minor league contract heading into spring training. He played well enough to make the opening day roster, and therefore would make $1,500,000. He even started on opening day in CF, notching two singles and scoring a run.