<div id="subtitle">Backup Plan: Catcher Mike Redmond agrees to $850,000, 1-year contract with Indians</div><div><p>The Indians don't know who their starting catcher will be this year. However, they've already settled on a backup.</p><p>Cleveland agreed Friday to an $850,000, one-year contract with free agent Mike Redmond, giving the Indians needed experience after trading Kelly Shoppach to Tampa Bay last month. Shoppach's departure left Cleveland without a dependable backup to work with its young pitching staff.</p><p>The Indians feel they can count on Redmond, a 12-year veteran who spent the past five seasons with Minnesota.</p><p>"He's a good receiver and game caller," assistant general manager Chris Antonetti said. "We feel he's a good complement to our team. He'll provide leadership and mentor our young catchers as well as our pitching staff."</p><p>Antonetti said Lou Marson and Wyatt Toregas will compete for Cleveland's starting job behind the plate. On the horizon is switch-hitting sensation Carlos Santana, who is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Columbus for grooming but could force the Indians to reconsider their plans with a strong training camp.</p><p>Coming from inside the AL Central, the Indians are very familiar with the 38-year-old Redmond, who served as MVP Joe Mauer's backup with the Twins. Redmond batted a .297 in 257 games with Minnesota since 2005. Last season, he batted .237 (32-for-135) in 45 games.</p><p>A .289 career hitter, Redmond won a World Series ring with the Florida Marlins in 2003.</p><p>In addition to his catching skills, the Indians are excited about what he can add to their clubhouse.</p><p>"Everybody really raves about him," Antonetti said. "He has a high baseball I.Q. He's very well respected by everyone we talked to. He's a great teammate."</p><p>Redmond can earn an additional $50,000 in performance bonuses: $10,000 each for 40, 45, 50, 60, and 70 games started.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66993344&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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