Indians sign manager Terry Francona to two-year extension

The Indians and manager Terry Francona agreed to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the club through the 2018 season, with club options for 2019 and 2020.

The Cleveland Indians and manager Terry Francona agreed to a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the club through the 2018 season, the team announced Tuesday.

The deal also includes club options for 2019 and 2020.

In two seasons with Cleveland, Francona has a 177-147 record. In his first season with the team in 2013, he was named the American League Manager of the Year.

In 2014, Cleveland finished 85-77, third in the AL Central.

“Being with (the club) for two years, we’re a pretty tight-knit group,” Francona said. "We do things together, and we have fun doing it. … During the tough times, that’s probably when I appreciate being here the most.”

Francona explained the reasons for signing a new deal with the franchise. 

"I checked with a couple of the players (during the extension talks). … I believe this is about the players. I wanted them to be comfortable knowing that I was going to be here also, or I wouldn’t have done this," he said.

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In 14 years as a MLB manager, Francona has a 1,206-1,062 record with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland and Boston Red Sox, where he managed the team to two World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

Francona, 55, said that he still gets excited to come to work everyday.

“This game … if you don’t enjoy it, it can run you into the ground. Every morning I wake up, I’m excited to come to work," he said.

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