Cleveland Indians to acquire Andrew Miller from New York Yankees
By Jason Evans
The New York Yankees’ sell-off has begun as they agree to send Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians for prospects.
The New York Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs last week in exchange for Gleyber Torres and others in a move that could be viewed as not exactly a sell move. The Yankees are definitely sellers now.
They have agreed to trade another part of the back-end of their bullpen to the Cleveland Indians. As the Tribe waits to hear about adding Jonathan Lucroy to fill a need, they fill another need by acquiring a power left-handed arm.
sheffield, frazier, and 2 minor-league pitchers go to yanks. no $ involved.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2016
Yankees expected to get Indians prospects Frazier and Sheffield and others in the trade for Andrew Miller.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 31, 2016
Heller and Fryerson go to yanks in miller deal, too
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2016
From the Indians’ perspective, Miller gives them a shutdown reliever either in front of Cody Allen, or as their new closer. Miller was an All-Star for the first time this year and is 6-1 with a 1.39 ERA. In 45.1 innings, he has struck out a whopping 77 batters and has only allowed 28 hits. He is also signed for the next two seasons at $9 million per.
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The two main prospects the Yankees are getting back are Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield. Per MLB Pipeline, Frazier was the Indians’ number-one prospect and Sheffield is sixth.
Frazier just reached AAA and has only played five games there. In AA this season, he had a .276 average with a .825 OPS, 13 homers, 48 RBI and 13 steals.
Ben Heller is the Indians’ 30th prospect per MLB Pipeline. Combined at AA and AAA out of the bullpen he is 3-2 with a 1.73 ERA and 12 saves. In 41.2 innings, he’s struck out 48 while allowing 23 hits.
J.P. Feyereisen is another reliever in AA heading to the Yankees. He is 4-3 with a 2.23 ERA at AA Akron this year. He’s 4-3 with a 2.23 ERA. In 40.1 innings, he’s struck out 56 while opponents have hit .205 against him.
Sheffield was one of their two first round picks in 2014. The 20-year-old lefty at High-A this year is 7-5 with a 3.59 ERA in 19 starts. In 95 innings, he’s struck out 93, but has given up 91 hits.
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It looks like a win for both sides. The Yankees get more prospects as they truly start to rebuild the team. The Indians are adding as they are in a great position to win the pennant this year. Plus, they could always put Miller back on the trade market in the offseason and recoup the prospects they lost.