Carlos Gonzalez photographed in 2017 during a game against San Diego. (Russell Lansford, Getty Images)

What Carlos Gonzalez brings to the Cleveland Indians

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Carlos Gonzalez has signed a minor-league contract with the Cleveland Indians and is in camp at the club’s Goodyear, Arizona training facility.

The Indians officially announced the signing Tuesday after Gonzalez completed a physical on Monday.

The 11-year veteran spent 10 seasons with Colorado after he was acquired in 2009 in a trade for outfielder Matt Holliday. A lifetime .287 hitter with an .851 OPS, Gonzalez was third in National League MVP voting in 2010 when he led the league in hits (197) and batting average (.336).

Gonzalez will reportedly earn $2 million if he makes the club with an additional $1 million in incentives possible.

With nine days remaining before the start of the regular season, it is unlikely that Gonzalez, 33, will be ready in time to break camp with the team.

Below is a look at what the veteran outfielder brings to the Indians’ crowded outfield competition.

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He’s a Rockies all-timer

Gonzalez ranks near the top of almost every important offensive category in Colorado's franchise history. Gonzalez is second in games played (1,247), third in hits (1,330), third in runs (769), third in doubles (277), fourth in home runs (227), fourth in RBI (749) and fourth in stolen bases (118).

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Carlos Gonzalez waves to fans during the team's ceremonial walk around the field after a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. (David Zalubowski, Associated Press)

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Awards, he’s won a few

In 10 seasons with the Rockies, Gonzalez earned three trips to the All-Star Game and three N.L. Gold Glove Awards. He was named an N.L. Silver Slugger in 2011 and 2015.

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Carlos Gonzalez admires the silver bat that was presented to him for winning the National League batting title in 2010. (Ed Andrieski, Associated Press)

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Playoff power

Gonzalez’s career playoff numbers are impressive, based heavily on his standout performance in his second pro season after arriving in Colorado. In the 2009 NL Division Series against Philadelphia, Gonzalez hit .588 (10-for-17) with a home run, two doubles and an RBI.

In nine career postseason games, Gonzalez has a .412 batting average (14-for-34) and a 1.091 OPS with four extra-base hits and two RBI.

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Carlos Gonzalez hits a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Three of the 2009 NLDS. (Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

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Rare cycle

Gonzalez hit for the cycle in a July 31, 2010 game against the Chicago Cubs. In his final at-bat, Gonzalez connected for a walk-off home run against Sean Marshall. He became one of just six players in big league history to connect on a walk-off home run to complete the cycle, including Ken Boyer (1961), Cesar Tovar (1972), George Brett (1972) and Dwight Evans (1984), according to Elias Sports Bureau. Gonzalez’s teammate, Nolan Arenado, accomplished the feat in 2017.

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Carlos Gonzalez connects on a base hit in 2010. (Barry Gutierrez, Associated Press)

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Batting champion

Gonzalez won the 2010 National League batting title with a .336 average and was in the race for the Triple Crown that season, finishing second in RBI (117) and fourth in home runs (34). Cincinnati’s Joey Votto was the runaway winner for NL MVP that season, with Gonzalez finishing third, 39 points behind St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols.

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Carlos Gonzalez celebrates a walk-off home run against the Chicago Cubs July 31, 2010. (Matt McClain, Associated Press)

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Four straight dingers

Gonzalez became the 22nd MLB player to homer in four consecutive plate appearances when he lit up the Astros on May 30 and 31, 2012. Gonzalez homered in his final three at-bats on May 30 in a 13-5 win against Houston, totaling four RBI. In his first at-bat the following night, Gonzalez went yard against Houston’s Bud Norris in the first inning to lead Colorado to an 11-5 victory.

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Carlos Gonzalez hits a home run against the Houston Astros in 2012. (Joe Mahoney, Associated Press)

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40 homers is not out of the question

Gonzalez averages about 28 home runs per 162 games in his career, but in 2015 he blasted a career-high 40. Through the first 80 games of that season, Gonzalez had 12 homers and was slugging .443. In the final 73 games he played that year, Gonzalez hit 28 dingers and slugged .644.

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