Cleveland Indians: Addition of Jay Bruce adds big time power to lineup

The Cleveland Indians have acquired Jay Bruce from the New York Mets

When you come within a bad inning of winning your first World Championship since 1954 and are fighting for another divisional crown, you go all in. The Cleveland Indians are certainly in that position and with that comes another trade for another big bat to their lineup in outfielder Jay Bruce.

Michael Brantley was placed on the DL earlier today with an ankle injury, so that injury may be worse than expected.

Bruce is in the final year of his contract and thus far with the Mets is hitting .258 with an .847 OPS. He’s hit 29 homers and has 75 RBI. Inserting his bat into a lineup with Edwin Encarnacion, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, combined with their pitching when healthy is going to be pretty formidable.

The Indians are taking all of the remaining money left on the deal.

Who did the Mets get in exchange?

Ryan was not among the Indians top 30 prospects according to MLBpipeline.com. Ryan is a reliever, which fits the strategy that the Mets have employed at the deadline, by adding young relievers.

He was the Indians’ 30th round selection back in 2016.

Thus far in A ball this year, Ryan is 3-4 with a 4.79 ERA in 33 games and has saved six of ten opportunities. He has 49 strikeouts in 41 innings, but has given up 44 hits.

For the Mets, this should free up some time for Juan Lagares once he returns from injury along with Brandon Nimmo to get some playing time. This could also open up a roster spot for top prospect Dominic Smith.

All in all, I think is a good move for the Cleveland Indians and for Bruce. If Bruce produces down the stretch and into the playoffs, he could be in line for a nice payday this off-season as a free agent.