Thanks kenm.

Just as the Indians brain trust has awoken from a 20 year siesta so have I.

Andrew Miller is a better reliever than Cody, remains to be seen but I expect him to be used to close games more than Cody.

He's lights out, one of the best in the game. No slight to Cody but Miller is top 5.

It's all speculation at this point anyways.

Carlos Beltran - OF - Yankees

Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Astros, Red Sox, Rangers and Indians are among the clubs that are still pursuing Carlos Beltran.

The Yankees have already dealt away Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, leaving Beltran as their last major trade chip to be dealt. It seems likely that the switch-hitting outfielder will be wearing a new uniform next week.

He has had a monster season at the plate, slashing .301/.342/.538 with 21 homers and 62 RBI.

Mark ‏@CLESportPrspctv 7s8 seconds ago

Hammy said today that the Tribe doesn't want Gonzalez not playing, so my guess is he will go back to COL any day now.

Too bad about Lucroy. We needed him more than we needed Miller but, I guess you have to take what can get to improve the team down the stretch. No secret here. I am extremely disappointed in Lucroy right now. It[s best to concentrate on Bruce now. Love to see Bruce in left and Ramirez at third. Bruce can take some of the pressure off of Ramirez by hitting out of the fifth slot and moving Ramirez down to 8 or 9.

Agree on Bruce joez. Or Beltran, who would be a much cheaper option.

I do think the Tribe brass would like Bruce because of his contract, but I'm sure the cost is greater than Lucroy, though less than Miller.

But Cincy is stuck, they do have to deal him. However, the Mets and others also know that and are on the trail.

I have mixed feelings about Bruce. Power,yes but this team needs all the defense it can handle. Also he is, by our standards, expensive.

Why isn't Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy catching for the Cleveland Indians today?


Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

on July 31, 2016 at 1:32 PM, updated July 31, 2016 at 6:26 PM


CLEVELAND, Ohio – Why isn't Jonathan Lucroy catching for the AL Central division leading Indians today?

Here are two reasons. Make of them what you will

No.1.

Lucroy and his agent, according to industry sources, wanted the Indians to decline his 2017 club option worth $5.25 million and make him a free agent after this season. The Indians, in effect, would be giving up three of their valued prospects for a two-month rental.

There was some talk about an extension, but when the Indians found out that Lucroy really wanted to be a free agent, they said no to the extension. They felt they were giving up too much talent for a rental player. It was not only Lucroy's talent that attracted them, but his contract as well.

It fit with their trade deadline strategy. They made a big splash Sunday morning by acquiring left-hander Andrew Miller from the Yankees for four prospects. In doing so, they assumed all of Miller's $21 million salary. Lucroy, a two-time All-Star catcher, fit their budget perfectly at what remained of his $4 million salary this year and his $5.25 million club option for 2017.

No.2.

Bob Nightengale from USA Today reported that Lucroy and his agent turned down the deal because the Indians wouldn't guarantee him the starting catching job in 2017 and certain financial incentives to his existing contract. Tribe starter Yan Gomes is out for six to eight weeks with a separated right shoulder, but a source indicated that if the Indians were willing to part with prospects catcher Francisco Mejia, outfielder Greg Allen and shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang, they weren't going to do it for a part-time catcher.

In other words, Lucroy was going to be the starting catcher this season and next, but they just weren't willing to guarantee him the job. He would have also seentime at DH and first base, but he was going to be the No.1 catcher.


If catcher Jonathan Lucroy OKs trade, the Indians will send prospects Francisco Mejia, Yu-Chen Chang and Greg Allen to Milwaukee. A fourth player reportedly is headed to Brewers if the deal is completed.

Lucroy explained his decision Sunday morning to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"Some circumstances came up that made me void it," said Lucroy. "When it eventually comes out, everyone will understand. I'm not going to give specifics or anything like that, as much as I'd like to.

"I'm respecting the process and what the Brewers are trying to do in terms of another trade, if that's going to happen. As of right now, I'm still a Brewer and I'm going to be until someone tells me different.

"You're dealing with life-changing and altering decisions like this. There are a lot of different factors that come into play. Mostly it's family and the other half of that is your future in this game, your career. There are a lot of different things to take in, and whenever those things don't line up, a decision has to be made that might be tough. I have to look out for our best interests."

Bob Nightengale
✔
@BNightengale

The Cincinnati #Reds have found a match, and expected to trade All-Star OF Jay Bruce to an NL team this morning. No, it's not the #Dodgers

Seems Mets are also "moving on from Lucroy" and may be Bruce's destination.

Perhaps Texas looks like Lucroy's landing spot.

All you need to know about Miller. He is ranked #3 reliever. See below.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?p ... &players=0

Cody is #11.

Adam Miller is the No. 1 prospect with the bad finger.

I have no doubt that Francona will know how to use Miller to the team's best advantage and that will not be as situational lefty. He was talking yesterday about having Miller at the start of his career in Boston and excited about getting him back now that he's at the top of his game. Tito knows how to use his bullpen. And Allen has already virtually volunteered to back up to the 8th inning.

I think Tito is being careful how he words things about Miller. Because the fact is, he is THE lefthander in the bullpen really, so there are times he might like to USE him as you would a situational. And that includes the 8th inning.

But he knows what he has, an elite reliever at the very top of MLB. He will close games, no doubt IMO.

This is all what makes Miller an amazing tool for Tito. He can do it all, 8th or 9th, righty or lefty. AND, he is totally willing to do so.

Yup, agree with TFIR. I got the feeling Tito was going to let the situation dictate. If there are a couple tough lefties in the 8th inning he'll use Miller then and let Allen close. And vice versa. And really that's the way it should be. Makes sense.