If they're willing to trade Mejia, they're willing to trade anyone now for the OF.

So instead for trading Mejia + 3 other prospects for Lucroy, 2 years later we trade him for an all star closer plus another solid reliever and we still have Chang and Allen to use or trade separately. Didn't work out badly. In fact Chang and Allen along with a starter of the Plutko-Civale-Hentges quality would be a reasonable package for a good although not great outfielder

So per reports indians are optioning Plutko and Allen, together with Mejia that is 3 open spots on 25 man roster. Hand and Cimber fill two obviously. Bieber is starting for Columbus tonight (and Miller is scheduled to pitch too) so guessing 3rd spot will be his.

So if Allen is optioned we are an OF short, aren't we?; there had been some talk of Melky returning. of course we've been 2 starting outfielders short all season regardless of who's on the roster

civ ollilavad wrote:So instead for trading Mejia + 3 other prospects for Lucroy, 2 years later we trade him for an all star closer plus another solid reliever and we still have Chang and Allen to use or trade separately.

The non-Lucroy trade. The gift that keeps giving.

I saw this posted elsewhere and it summed up my feelings:

I think the trade extends their window honestly, Miller and Allen both most likely leaving after this season, Hand through 2021 and Cimber through 2023 is huge. Mejia could be good but Yan is just too good handling the rotation and defensively to surpass him in the near future. And mejia seemed against trying the outfield with a full heart to get big league time sooner.

civ ollilavad wrote:Well once again they prove us wrong

civ - I disagree here - to me they proved us right. The Andrew Miller trade was the template. They will trade a top prospect for young, controllable talent while their window is open..

HB - the new guy Cimber is evidently the 2nd coming of Joe Smith. Thanks for posting that.

Andrew Miller - R - Indians

Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Thursday that Andrew Miller (knee) should be activated in the "next few weeks."

Miller tossed a scoreless inning in his first rehab appearance on Tuesday but it sounds like the Indians want to take their time with the reliever as he comes back from another knee issue. "His outing the other night was really encouraging," Antonetti said. "His fastball velocity and shape to his pitches is starting to creep back to where he is when he's at his best."

Antonetti said. "His fastball velocity and shape to his pitches is starting to creep back to where he is when he's at his best."

I've been telling you guys his velocity was down. When we first got him he was regularly touching 98, and 99 once in a while. He's been like 93 - 94 this year. You could just tell he wasn't right. Glad we are in a weak division and have the ability to sit him down a while and let that barking knee settle down.

My guess of Bieber is probably wrong ...

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Jordan Bastian @MLBastian
13 minutes ago
Yandy Diaz is here with the Indians in Texas. Nothing official from the team yet.

Jordan Bastian @MLBastian
11 minutes ago
Melky Cabrera also in the clubhouse for the Tribe. We’ll be getting Francona soon. Stay tuned for details.

Here's hoping HB gets his wish! Yandy would be dandy at 3rd, and Josie at 2nd. Kipnis and prospects for an outfielder.

I meant they proved us wrong in the sense that sometimes "we" still doubt that the Indians will make aggressive moves. The front office [and obviously the ownership] remain in proactive mode.

Ok, now it’s starting to make sense.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chris Antonetti, following the acquisition of relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber on Thursday from the Padres, said the Indians would make a "series of moves' to recalibrate the 25-man roster before opening the second half of the season on Friday night against Texas at Globe Life Park In Arlington.

Antonetti, the president of baseball operations, wasn't kidding.


The Indians will add Yandy Diaz and Melky Cabrera from Class AAA Columbus along with the newly acquired Hand and Cimber before the first pitch Friday night. To do so, they will or already have optioned right-hander Adam Plutko, left-hander Tyler Olson and outfielder Greg Allen to Columbus. Catching prospect Francisco Mejia, who was traded to San Diego for Hand and Cimber, created one of the openings on the 25-man roster when he was traded.

The Indians have another roster move coming in the next few days when they add right-hander Shane Bieber from Columbus. Bieber, optioned to Columbus so he could keep pitching during the All-Star break, pitched for the Clippers on Thursday night.

Bieber allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and one walk in three innings against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was followed by Andrew Miller, making his second rehab appearance, as he continues to test his sore right knee. Miller pitched one inning, allowing one run.

The rookie right-hander is scheduled to start against Pittsburgh on Tuesday at Progressive Field.

Cabrera was hitting .321 (25-for-78) with eight RBI for the Clippers. This will be his second tour with the Indians.

Diaz was hitting .284 (81-for-285) with two homers and 27 RBI for Columbus. This will be his first tour this season with the Indians. Diaz has played 10 games at first base, 62 at third base and 11 at DH this year.

Dumping Olson makes sense, he's been awfully bad like many of his bullpen colleagues and would be the 3rd lefty and he has options left, so that's kind of a no-brainer.

Cabrera return was suggested before the trade and we were short of outfielders.

Yandy promotion begs the related questions: what will be his role [new third baseman with JRam switching full time to 2nd? RH platoon 3rd with JRam rotating between 3rd and 2nd? auditioning for those roles before we add back Bieber and Miller? or just filling a spot on the roster for a few days?]
and [depending on answers to the above] whither Kipnis: no change, to the outfield, or in a trade?

As much as I would like to see Yandy given a real long term look I have to think he will be headed back to Columbus once Bieber or Miller return. Eh?

Olsen will be the 4th Lefty reliever once Miller returns. Go to Columbus and work out his problems. We will need him next year.