Damn this is a HUGE move for the Indians. It is unclear yet what the Yankees get in return for Miller but this move solidifies that the Indians are in to win NOW. Miller does have a couple more years on his contract and bullpen help was needed for the Indians to help keep the leads that the phenomenal pitching staff gives them. The Cleveland fans are in for a fun rest of the year. When watching the Indians it's some of the most fun baseball in the game today. They have unbelievable pitching in their starting rotation (Carrasco, Kluber), young position prospects (Lindor) and now a solidified bullpen. Miller is one of the best reliever/closers in the game. He is the rare breed that can both be an excellent closer as well as a shut down reliever.
The Indians also have a deal in the works to acquire the 30-year old Brewers catcher Johnathan Lucroy (Deal pending Lucroy to waive the no trade clause to the Indians and physicals).
The Indians also have a deal in the works to acquire the 30-year old Brewers catcher Johnathan Lucroy (Deal pending Lucroy to waive the no trade clause to the Indians and physicals).
The return for the Brewers is all prospects and are rumored to be SS Yu-Cheng Chang, OF Greg Allen and very talented prospect C Francisco Mejia. (Per @Ken_Rosenthal)
This trade helps the Indians primary issue of concern, the catcher position. Lucroy is having an amazing comeback season this year, hitting .300 and hitting 13 HR's. The 30 year old backstop will immediately work well with the amazing pitching staff with his great command of the pitching staff and will upgrade the offense from the disappointing career (so far) of Yan Gomes.
*Update- the Yankees have recieved prospects OF Clint Frazier and P Justus Sheffield in return for Miller. These two players have the ability to be top notch players in the MLB in years to come. Clint Frazier might be the best OF prospect in baseball and this is saying a lot with the likes of Andrew Benintendi in the mix. And Justus Sheffield is the #5 prospect in the Indians system but is considered as a top 3 prospect in the system. And the Yankess seem to be all in on rebuilding quickly and thoroughly.
**Double-Update- Lucroy has waived his no-trade clause and will not be going to he going to the Indians. He is staying with the Brewers. WOW! Kind of a crazy move from Lucroy, why wouldn't he want to be on a winning team/possible WS contender? I did see that Lucroy wanted more money in exchange for waiving the no-trade clause, the Indians must have denied him the money. WOW!
@Belsner133