The Indians have locked up Ryan Raburn through 2015, and it didn't take all that much to do so:
Indians announce 2-year extension for UTIL Ryan Raburn (with option for 2016). More soon on http://t.co/SSqu0Zd4vR.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 7, 2013
Raburn's contract is worth $4.85M total, not including the club option for 2016. That total includes a buyout of the option.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 7, 2013
This season Raburn has been a 2-win player despite only appearing in 66 games. He's 32 this year, so the deal would keep him in Cleveland through his Age-34 season. The AAV of the contract, including the 2016 buyout is just $2.425M, which is very similar in dollar value to the deal the Indians signed Mike Aviles to last winter (2/$6.0M).
Based on this deal, I don't foresee Raburn's usage changing much at all in 2014 or 2015. He'll continued to be used as a part-time player, though where he'll play will depend on how the starters are doing. This year he's played mainly in right field, but perhaps he'll play third more in 2014 if the Indians upgrade right field. Or perhaps he'll DH more. Where he plays doesn't matter a whole lot, as his calling card has been his bat (with the glaring exception of last year with Detroit).
Extending Raburn wasn't a huge priority for the Indians, but since both parties were amenable towards getting something done now, that gives the club one less thing to worry about this winter.
Contract details:
2014: $2.25M
2015: $2.50M
2016: $3.0M Club Option OR $100,000 buyout