Cleveland Indians Sign Free-Agent Pitcher Brett Myers

The Cleveland Indians have not won a World Series since 1948. But they are continuing to add people who have won a World Series title in this decade. According to Jerry Crasnick on ESPN.com, the Cleveland Indians signed former Chicago White Sox pitcher Brett Myers to a one-year contract, pending a physical exam.

Myers has had success as both a starter and a reliever. He saved 21 games for the 2007 National League East Champion Philadelphia Phillies as well as 19 games for the dreadful Houston Astros of 2012.

He's also been a starter in the big leagues. Twice he won 14 games in a season and won games in the 2008 Division Series and NLCS for the Phillies.

The 32-year-old will probably be a starter in Cleveland, his third organization after eight seasons with the Phillies, two and a half years with the Houston Astros and half a season with the White Sox.

The Indians are creating a change of culture in the team this offseason. Along with some of the young players imported, most notably Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Tribe has brought in some names familiar with winning a championship.

Myers, a member of the 2008 World Champion Phillies, joins new Indian Nick Swisher, who beat Myers and company as a member of the 2009 New York Yankees.

And of course the new skipper, Terry Francona, knows a little bit about winning a World Series with a team facing a drought. He piloted the Boston Red Sox to the 2004 and 2007 titles.

If he would perform a similar feat in Cleveland he will need young talent and stable veterans to lead. Brett Myers could very well be one of those veterans who helps Cleveland finally experience the euphoria that Philadelphia fans had in 2008.