Indians bolster bullpen

Ex-Scrapper Mejia traded to Padres

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO

With an eye on October and beyond, the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians scooped up All-Star closer Brad Hand and fellow reliever Adam Cimber from the rebuilding San Diego Padres in exchange for switch-hitting catching prospect Francisco Mejia.

The Indians need Hand, a lefty, and Cimber, a rookie right-handed sidearmer, to shore up a bullpen that has been without left-hander Andrew Miller since late May and has a 5.28 ERA, second-worst in the majors. The trade was announced Thursday, well ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline.

“We tried to have a really honest assessment, what are our strengths and what are the areas we can improve to help better position us to secure a postseason berth and advance once we get there,” Indians President Chris Antonetti said in a conference call. “This not only impacts 2018, but it also reinforces our bullpen options for future years. Both of these guys, Brad and Adam, can do that for us.”

The Indians lead the AL Central by 71/2 games over Minnesota. After losing Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to the Chicago Cubs, the Indians returned to the postseason last year but lost in the division series to the New York Yankees.

Miller, Cleveland’s two-time All-Star reliever, has been on the disabled list since May 26 with an inflamed right knee. He’s on a minor league rehab assignment and Antonetti said his most recent outing was encouraging.

Cody Allen has 20 saves in 21 chances for the Indians. Miller and Allen will be eligible for free agency after the season.

The Padres claimed Hand off waivers from Miami early in the 2016 season and he developed into a two-time All-Star. Known for his slider, he has 24 saves in 29 chances, with a 3.05 ERA and 65 strikeouts.

“Brad has established himself as an elite reliever over the last few seasons,” Antonetti said. “He adds both depth and experience to our bullpen and should have a big impact for us.”

Antonetti said the Indians have had an eye on Hand for more than a year. Hand was on the trading block last year but stayed put. Some teams felt San Diego was asking too much for the closer last year, when the Padres finished 71-91.

The Padres gave Hand a $19.75 million, three-year contract in the offseason, with a team option for 2021.

Cimber is 3-5 with a 3.17 ERA in 42 relief appearances this season.

Antonetti said manager Terry Francona will decide how the new relievers will be used.

The Padres are last in the NL West, 141/2 games behind Los Angeles. They haven’t had a winning season since 2010 or been in the playoffs since 2006.

They’ve been rebuilding since a win-now approach with high-priced veterans flopped badly in 2015. General manager A.J. Preller has built one of the strongest farm systems in baseball, but the big league team continues to flail despite getting its first infusion of young talent late in the 2016 season.

Mejia, a Mahoning Valley Scrapper in 2014, was batting .279 with seven home runs and 45 RBIs in 79 games for Triple-A Columbus. The 22-year-old made his big league debut on Sept. 1, playing in 11 games with Cleveland last year and one game this year.

Mejia can also play third base and outfield, but Preller said he’ll focus on catching at Triple-A El Paso.