Cleveland Sports Forum

BA Analysis:


ACQUIRE
Jay Bruce, OF
Age: 30

Bruce has never lived up to the lofty expectations scouts put on him in the minors, but he has proven to be a very reliable lefthanded power bat. Bruce is one home run away from his fifth 30-home run season. Now that he's largely past the knee injuries that sapped his power in 2014 and 2015, he's on pace to set a career high in slugging percentage.
For the Indians, Bruce provides yet another lefty bat in a lineup full of them. He gives a power boost to a lineup that has been very productive but has few sluggers. Bruce is a free agent after this season

Outfielder Jay Bruce on joining Cleveland Indians: "I'm not trying to be Superman"

phoynes@cleveland.com

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jay Bruce called his first full day as a Cleveland Indian "a bit of a whirlwind."

He went from Philadelphia as a member of the New York Mets to steamy St. Petersburg as the Indians' new right fielder. By doing so he jumped from fourth place in the NL East to first place in the AL Central.

"You can't ask for anything else, really," said Bruce, following the Indians' 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday night. "To come to a team of this caliber, in the position they're in. I'm excited to get here and help out as much as I can."

Bruce walked into the Indians' clubhouse at Tropicana Field about 6 p.m. The Indians officially activated him and optioned utility man Erik Gonzalez to Class AAA Columbus.

"Yeah, it's been a bit of a whirlwind, but fairly easy," said Bruce. "These guys did an awesome job of communicating with me and getting me here. It was a long day, but I'm really, really happy to be here."

One of his first stops was manager Terry Francona's office. Francona told Bruce that he'd try to get him an at-bat on Thursday night if the right situation arose. But he told him it would only be as a pinch-hitter because Francona didn't want him to play defense after not participating in batting practice and having a hectic travel day.

The situation arose in the seventh inning after Austin Jackson tripled to left field with one out and the score tied, 1-1, to knock lefty Blake Snell out of the game. Right-hander Tommy Hunter, who pitched with the Indians last year, relieved and the left-handed hitting Bruce went to the plate.

Hunter threw one pitch and Bruce skied it to shortstop for the second out.

"I thought it was a great spot for him. ... He got a good pitch to hit, he just got under it," said Francona.

The 6-3 Bruce, in his 10th season in the big leagues, took his first Indians at-bat in stride.

"I didn't get the job done tonight, but I look forward to those opportunities more and more as the season goes on," he said.

Bruce spent the first 11 1/2 years of his career in the Cincinnati organization. He made his debut with the Reds in 2008, becoming a fixture in the lineup until he was traded to the Mets on Aug. 1, 2016.

"I'm very, very familiar with these guys from sharing our spring-training complex in Goodyear (Ariz.) for multiple years,'' said Bruce. "If I didn't know every one of them, it felt like I did.

"I'm excited about the opportunity. It seems like a great group of guys. Obviously, the results speak for themselves. I just want to come in and be a part of this."

Bruce talked to reporters after Thursday's game because he didn't arrive until after the clubhouse was closed before the game. Francona said he would probably hit Bruce fifth on Friday night against rookie right-hander Jake Faria.

The offense needs a jolt of something. The Indians have lost seven of their last 10 games since winning nine straight July 21-29. In six of the last 10 they've scored two or fewer runs.

Outfielders Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall are on the disabled list. Second baseman Jason Kipnis, just back from DL, left Thursday's game after re-aggravating his right hamstring. Kipnis was on the DL from July 9 through Sunday with an injury to the right hamstring.

"When we started hearing about it (a possible deal) it gives you a little bounce in your step," said Francona. "There are no guarantees. There aren't supposed to be, but he is a really good run producer and to add him to your lineup is really going to help."

Bruce hit .256 (104-for-406) with 20 doubles, 29 homers and 75 RBI in 103 games with the Mets this year. He made 91 starts in right field, 10 at first base and two at DH. He's expected to play right field with the Indians.

He has been through this before, the new guy added to a team trying to reach the postseason in the stretch run. Last year he hit .219 (37-for-169) with eight homers and 19 RBI after being traded to the Mets.

"This team is awesome," said Bruce. "They were awesome without me. I just hope to add a little bit to it. I'm not trying to be Superman. I'm not trying to come in and do anything other than what I can do and be myself. I think that's huge and I think that's what they want."

The Indians have been trying to work a deal for Bruce for several years. They finally landed him and it will be his first venture into the American League. Interleague play knocked down the barriers between the American and National League a long time ago and Bruce is taking a practical approach to making the switch.

"I'll approach it as I'm still playing baseball," he said. "The main constant to getting traded is you're still playing baseball. You still come to a clubhouse, get ready, prepare. It's the same game in the American League as it is in the National League to me. I want to get going, get into a routine and get out there every day and help."

Jay the Bruce rides in to bolster Tito Wallace's offense.

Doesn't fit in with KenM's mantra:

Terry Francona credits Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan for Jay Bruce trade
Posted August 10, 2017 at 08:20 PM | Updated August 10, 2017 at 09:23 PM


ST. PETERSBURG -- Terry Francona knew the Indians had re-ignited talks with the Mets about acquiring Jay Bruce after Michael Brantley injured his right ankle on Tuesday night against the Rockies.

So after the Indians lost to the Rockies, 3-2, in 12 innings on Wednesday at Progressive Field, he went back to his office to finish packing for this 11-game, four-city trip. Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff, the team’s top decision makers, were waiting for him.

Francona, half kiddingly, said, “Did we get Jay Bruce yet?’’

They answered, “give us time.”

It didn’t take long. Late Wednesday night Bruce belonged to the Indians. They assumed the $3.7 million that remained on Bruce’s $13 million contract for 2017 and sent the Mets Class A right-hander Ryder Ryan.

“I hope Paul Dolan is getting a lot of credit in Cleveland,” said Francona, referring to the Tribe's owner. “He’s kind of taking a big bite right there and don’t think we don’t appreciate it. It’s going to give us a better chance to win.

“We’ve got some key guys (Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall) banged up, and to get a bat like that is a big difference maker. It’s going to give us a better chance to win.”

The Indians opened this season with a franchise record $124 million payroll.

The Yankees were after Bruce as well, but reportedly they didn’t want to pick up the tab for the $3.7 million left on Bruce’s contract. According to reports, they went as far as offering the Mets two prospects for Bruce, who is a free agent at the end of the season, so they wouldn't have to pick up all of his remaining salary.

Bruce cleared waivers earlier in the month to give the Indians a chance to make the deal.


The Indians asked to talk to Bruce before the trade to let him know that when Brantley and Chisenhall are activated, it may cost him some playing time. They were denied permission, but right after the deal Antonetti talked to Bruce to make sure he understood the situation.

“He’s going to be a free agent at the end of the year and the last thing we want to do is get in anybody’s way,” said Francona.

The Indians also talked to Brantley and Chisenhall before the deal went down.

“Like Chris said, ‘If it comes to a point where we have too many outfielders, good for us,'’’ said Francona. “AJ (Austin Jackson) has done a great job but we’re playing two guys short. We’re in a stretch of 23 games in a row. To have that bat (Bruce) should really help us.’’

Antonetti, in announcing the trade Wednesday night, said Bruce would be a regular in the lineup. Bruce played some first base for the Mets this season as well.


Francona said Chisenhall will run the bases at Progressive Field on Saturday and could start a rehab assignment Sunday or Monday. He has not played since July 9 when he strained his right calf against the Tigers.

The lingering nature of Chisenhall’s injury was one of the reasons the Indians made the deal for Bruce. In July, after Chisenhall was placed on the disabled list, the Indians talked to the Tigers about acquiring J.D. Martinez, another right fielder.


Tough stretch for rookie Bradley Zimmer

In the ninth inning Wednesday, Cody Allen had a 2-1 lead with one out against the Rockies. He struck out Gerardo Parra to start the inning, but Carlos Gonzalez singled and Jonathan Lucroy followed with a hit to left center field.

Rookie center fielder Bradley Zimmer tried to make a sliding stop, but lost the ball as Gonzalez scored from first to tie the score. The Indians lost it on Charlie Blackmon’s homer in the 12th.

“I lost the ball when it came out of my glove on the transfer,” said Zimmer.

It was a tough series for Zimmer. In Tuesday’s 4-1 win, he didn’t run out a pop up to the mound and was hoodwinked by Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who let the ball drop and turned it into a 5-4-3 double play. He also went 0-for-15 for the homestand.


Indians announcer Rick Manning, wearing part of the fire engine red uniform he wore when he played center field for the Tribe, throws out the first pitch on May 23, 2015 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his first game with the Indians.

Wearing of the red

The Indians and Rays will wear throwback uniforms for their game on Saturday night at Tropicana Field. The Indians are bringing back their fire engine red uniforms, circa 1975. The uniform consisted of red jerseys and pants.

Boog Powell, the Indians large first baseman of that era, was told he looked like a giant "bloody mary' while decked out in the uniform.

Francona was asked if he was going to wear the uniform. He said, "I'm going to wear the pants, but not the jersey. I'll look like Bozo the Clown."

Hey Tito should hire Chris Sale to cut his jersey up!

For HB:

Newcomer Jay Bruce is hitting and fitting in well with the Cleveland Indians

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

ST. PETERSBURG - This time around the transition has been smoother for Jay Bruce.

Last year the Reds traded Bruce to the Mets on July 31. He joined his new team and immediately went into a 10-for-55 slump. He stopped hitting home runs, he stopped driving in runs. He stopped hitting, period.

"I wasn't very good at all for about a month there," said Bruce. "I think that was just baseball. Off the field was a little tougher. I lived in six hotels. I never found a home to live in.

"I had a 4-month old son at home. My wife was dealing with trying to move us out of Cincinnati by herself. It was a transitional time in my life to begin with and adding the trade made it tougher. But on the field it was baseball that was the one constant."

Bruce hit .183 (18-for-93) with two homers and six RBI in August. He was better in September, hitting .263 (20-for-76) with six homers and 13 RBI as the Mets earned a wild card spot.

"It was definitely a different animal, but I really enjoyed the challenge," said Bruce. "I played a little better in September and got to play in the wild card game so it was a lot of fun."



This year the trade came on Wednesday with the Mets sending Bruce to the Indians for a minor-league pitcher. He joined the Tribe on Thursday at Tropicana Field and popped up as a pinch-hitter with the go-ahead run on third base in a 4-1 loss.

After the game Bruce said, "I didn't do my job, but I look forward to more opportunities."

Friday night, he went 2-for-4 in the a 5-0 over the Rays. On Saturday night, Bruce went 2-for-4 with two RBI in a 3-0 win over the Rays.

"This is kind of back to what Cincinnati felt like," said Bruce. "I'm pretty familiar with this team just being in Goodyear and sharing the spring training facility with them and playing in the Ohio Cup every year.

"They've been a great team since last year. They were awesome without me. I just want to come in here and add what I can and complement what is already a very talented team."

Manager Terry Francona has batted Bruce fifth behind Edwin Encarnacion on Friday and Saturday. They were teammates for a brief period with the Reds.

"I got called up in May of 2008," said Bruce. "So I played with Edwin from until the end of 2008 until he was traded (to Toronto) in 2009. He's been fun to watch for a long time. He's a game changer."

The Indians are just as familiar with Bruce as he is with them. Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, has been trying to trade for him for the last few years.

"We've seen him," said Francona. "The one thing that is impressive is he watches the pitcher the entire game. He sits in the same spot and watches the pitcher the entire game.

"You saw him Friday. He got fooled the first at-bat, but he was right on that pitcher the next two at-bats (for two hits)."

Shortstop Francisco Lindor knows Bruce from playing against him.

"I just said what's up, bro, how you doing?'' said Lindor. "I welcomed him. He's happy to be here. He's a good player, but he's a better teammate. I told him, 'Enjoy it because it's going to be fun.'''

Ah let's not make this into a thing, J.R.

I'm pissed at the Indians, don't have a thing against Bruce.

Tribe never gave Diaz and Naquin much of an opportunity this year. I think Naquin had like 25 at bats, Yandy had like 60. With all the injuries we had this year I cannot understand why they didn't give them more of an opportunity to make adjustments and figure things out. Last year Brantley's injury gave Ramirez an opportunity and he was a huge spark plug for us. Who's to say that Diaz or Naquin couldn't have done that this year. Hell, you could say Naquin did it last year too, till postseason.

Kipnis, Guyer, Urshela, and Almonte have absolutely stunk this year. Yet they don't get shipped out and forgotten about. Diaz and Naquin have a far brighter future than any of those guys except maybe Kip. And I do say maybe.

I think they should have played Yandy and Naquin far more till the end of July. If they were still playing poorly and not making adjustments then trade for someone to fill those spots till end of season. But they were never given much of a chance.

But I'm not going to hold that against Bruce. Like I said, I always liked him when he was with the Reds. He's a good guy. He should fit in very well. I want nothing but the best for him. Looks like we got him at a good time too, been hitting nicely last couple games. His prolonged slumps last couple years scared me but hopefully he'll be hot from now through October. And nobody will be rooting for him more than me. And that is that.

It's not just 'I or me' with these Cleveland Indians: Rant of the week

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

ST. PETERSBURG -- If the Indians ever get their entire outfield back together, it's going to be interesting to see how manager Terry Francona makes it work.

It appears one thing is certain: the addition of Jay Bruce has filled the hole in right field. In Friday's 5-0 win against the Rays, Bruce went 2-for-4 in his first start with the Indians. In Saturday's 3-0 win, he went 2-for-4 with two RBI. "He wants to play every day and that's very welcomed," said Francona. "He'll get that chance."

That can't be good news for Lonnie Chisenhall, the Indians primary right fielder before he strained his right calf and went on the disabled list on July 14. Injuries happen every day in baseball. Good seasons get disrupted and jobs are lost.

But here's the thing about the Indians. They called Chisenhall before they made the trade for Bruce on Wednesday. They told him what was coming down. Guess what Chisenhall did?

He told the front office that he was willing to play all three outfield positions and first and third base during his rehab assignment so he could be more versatile when he rejoined the Tribe. Chisenhall realized what a bat like Bruce could mean to the Indians and their quest to return to the World Series.

It's not the first time this has happened either.

Last year, when it became clear the Indians were looking for high-grade reliever, closer Cody Allen went to Francona and Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, and told them that he would move to a set-up role if they could get a closer like Aroldis Chapman.

They didn't get Chapman, but they got his bullpen mate - Andrew Miller. Allen didn't lose his closer's job, but along with Miller, Bryan Shaw and Francona's creative touch they reached Game 7 of the World Series with a two-man starting rotation and a killer bullpen.

In late June this season, Allen again went to Francona and told him that Miller was running on fumes. He volunteered to do some of the heavy lifting in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings and let Miller pitch the ninth.

Winning resonates in a locker room. So does unselfishness like that. Maybe more so.

It's hard to say if it's like that with other teams. You'd have to be with them every day to know for sure. But it doesn't happen by accident and winning is not the only reason it does. An environment has to be created where a player puts the team ahead of himself. It's created by the front office, the manager and the coaching staff.

Chisenhall was scheduled to run the bases on Saturday at Class AA Akron. If the calf is sound, he could begin his rehab assignment by DHing for the RubberDucks on Sunday. Just when he makes it back to the big leagues, is unclear. He's going to have to play at least seven to 10 rehab games. His wife, Meredith, is expecting their third child later this month.

"I think it's pretty cool that Lonnie offered to do that," said Francona. "It can make him more valuable as we go forward. . .When you want to brag about these guys, that's why. It's not just I and me. There's a lot of good stuff that happens.

"Certainly you want to win every game. But the idea of how are we going to do it as a team makes me really proud of the guys."

Hillbilly wrote:Ah let's not make this into a thing, J.R.

I'm pissed at the Indians, don't have a thing against Bruce.

Tribe never gave Diaz and Naquin much of an opportunity this year. I think Naquin had like 25 at bats, Yandy had like 60. With all the injuries we had this year I cannot understand why they didn't give them more of an opportunity to make adjustments and figure things out. Last year Brantley's injury gave Ramirez an opportunity and he was a huge spark plug for us. Who's to say that Diaz or Naquin couldn't have done that this year. Hell, you could say Naquin did it last year too, till postseason.

Kipnis, Guyer, Urshela, and Almonte have absolutely stunk this year. Yet they don't get shipped out and forgotten about. Diaz and Naquin have a far brighter future than any of those guys except maybe Kip. And I do say maybe.

I think they should have played Yandy and Naquin far more till the end of July. If they were still playing poorly and not making adjustments then trade for someone to fill those spots till end of season. But they were never given much of a chance.

But I'm not going to hold that against Bruce. Like I said, I always liked him when he was with the Reds. He's a good guy. He should fit in very well. I want nothing but the best for him. Looks like we got him at a good time too, been hitting nicely last couple games. His prolonged slumps last couple years scared me but hopefully he'll be hot from now through October. And nobody will be rooting for him more than me. And that is that.

Great post HB!!!

HB: I get that your problem is with management, not Bruce. No question that you follow the minors a lot more closely than do I, but I would rather have a veteran who has proven he can do it at the major league level than stick with someone with "potential." Naquin was great last year, UNTIL the pitchers got the book on him - he will K on the high fastball almost every time.
And it sounds like we didn't give up too much for Bruce. I don't have confidence that the Tribe's "window of opportunity" will last too many more years. After such a near miss last year, I want to see them seal the deal.

I'm actually hoping Bruce will really like it and give the team a discount if it goes well - wanting to stay!

Seems he's potentially a nice fit.

Could happen - Santana's contract is up if I remember correctly.

At the very least it gives the team a couple options there.

Jason Kipnis gets one more day of rest; Andrew Miller throws BP session


By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

ST. PETERSBURG -- Indians manager Terry Francona decided to give second baseman Jason Kipnis one more day to rest his troublesome right hamstring. Francona said Kipnis could have started Sunday against the Rays at Tropicana Field, but preferred that he played on the natural grass field at Fenway Park on Monday night instead of Tropicana Field's artificial turf.

Kipnis did stand in the batter's box to give Andrew Miller a target to throw to during a Sunday morning bullpen session. Miller is on the disabled list with patella tendinitis in his right knee.

"Kip could be in there today," said Francona, "but it was my decision that if we could go one more day (and avoid) this turf it would set him up better if he could play on grass Monday.

"I think it will put him in a better place."

The Indians play a makeup game against the Red Sox on Monday night.

Miller is eligible to come off the DL today, but Francona said a decision on his status hasn't been made yet. It's possible Miller could need to make a rehab appearance because he's been on the DL since Aug. 2.

"We're trying to simulate as close to a game as we can," said Francona. "He'll warm up in the bullpen. Run on the field. It will be everything but the guys hitting.

"After it's over, we'll re-evaluate. Does he need a rehab game? We'll do that collectively."

Francona, Miller and Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway talked on the field after he got done throwing.

Miller threw a bullpen session Friday, and Francona and Callaway said his knee showed no ill effects on Saturday.

Kipnis, on the DL from July 9 through Aug. 5 with a strained right hamstring, left Thursday's game against the Rays when the hamstring tightened after he hit a double. He has not played since.

"Kip will certainly be available to pinch hit (Sunday) as he was on Saturday night," said Francona. "He was hitting (in the cages) Saturday night."

J.R. ... Well that's what I meant by giving them more time to make adjustments. See if Naquin could adjust and lay off the high fastball. Yandy is a guy who loves to hit the ball the opposite way so pitchers were pounding him in.

But I got a tissue for my issue and moved on.

We gave up very little for Bruce, was a steal. And I have no doubt he will help us more than Guyer and Almonte.

Interesting question will be what to do when Chiz and Brantley gets back. Do they try Chiz in CF again? Zimmer has been scuffling of late..

I'll believe Brantley's back when I see it. In the meantime, Chiz says he'll work at LF so we have a trio of good arms with him and Zimmer and Bruce, at least against right handers. Jackson fills in for one of them against lefties. If we're still hanging on to Guyer he'll show his big bat against lefties, too, I suppose.

Zimmer is 0-22 his last 11 games. With 12 K.

He now has 74 K to 233 AB. He's striking out once every 3 at bats.

To give you an idea of how bad that is, Santana has next highest K total on the team. He has 76 in 415 at bats.

I think I would try Chiz again in CF, since they don't want anything to do with Naquin.