Rosenthal then reported on Sunday morning that the Indians had reached an agreement with the Yankees to acquire Miller, arguably the top left-handed reliever in the game. In exchange for Miller, the Indians are expected to part ways with Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield, the No. 1 and No. 5 prospects on Cleveland's Top 30 list. Miller, who has 1.39 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings, is signed through 2018 and is set to earn $9 million in each of the next two seasons.
Three prospects reportedly heading to the Brewers in the Lucroy deal are catcher Francisco Mejia -- ranked sixth on MLBPipeline.com's list of the Tribe's Top 30 prospects -- shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang (No. 12) and outfielder Greg Allen (No. 22). Mejia and Chang are with Class A Advanced Lynchburg, while Allen is with Double-A Akron.
The 30-year-old Lucroy would fill what has been an offensive abyss for the Indians this season.
Lucroy's RBI single
MIL@CIN: Lucroy singles in Villar to open the scoring
Jonathan Lucroy drives a single to right field, scoring Jonathan Villar to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning
Catchers Yan Gomes, Roberto Perez and Chris Gimenez -- while providing above-average defense -- have combined for a .167/.215/.286 slash line. That group's 30 weighted Runs Created Plus, indicating the offensive production has been 70 percent below league average, ranked last in the Major Leagues. Gomes is also sidelined at least another month with a separated right shoulder.
Lucroy is not only a highly-rated defender and pitch framer, but one of the best offensive catchers in the Majors.
Through 94 games this season, the right-handed-hitting catcher had a .300/.360/.484 slash line to go along with 13 home runs, 17 doubles, three triples, 48 runs and 50 RBIs for the Brewers. Lucroy had a 120 wRC+ and a 2.8 WAR (per Frangraphs.com). Only Wilson Ramos (3.1) and Buster Posey (3.0) had a better WAR than Lucroy this year as of Saturday.
Lucroy is under contract for $4 million this season and has a team-friendly club option worth $5.25 million for 2017. Under the circumstances, it is possible that the catcher may seek some kind of compensation in order to waive his no-trade clause, which includes eight teams.
Lucroy catches Zobrist stealing
CHC@MIL: Lucroy throws out Zobrist after review
Ben Zobrist is called safe on a steal attempt of second base and after the Brewers challenge, the call is overturned in the 4th inning
Gomes, who has served as the Indians' starting catcher for the builk of the past four seasons, is signed through '19 and his contract includes team options for the '20 and '21 seasons, too. Given Gomes' struggles at the plate, though, and the uncertainty surrounding his current comeback from injury, adding Lucroy would help provide the Indians some much-needed insurance in the near term.
While the Indians are reportedly parting with a hefty prospect package, Cleveland managed to hang on to its two most coveted prospects, outfielders Clint Frazier and Brad Zimmer, who rank No. 1 and 2 on its Top 30 prospects list.
The 20-year-old Mejia, who extended an incredible hitting streak to 42 games Saturday, is a switch-hitter who projects as a great all-around catcher. Chang, 20, was batting .273 with 48 extra-base hits and an .840 OPS through 94 games with Lynchburg. Allen, 22, has great strike-zone discipline (140 walks compared to 143 strikeouts in the Minors) and plus speed (114 steals in three pro seasons).
The Indians have been trying to make a spash via trade, considering the club is holding a 4 1/2-game lead over the Tigers in the AL Central. Cleveland was engaged with the Yankees in talks for Aroldis Chapman before he was dealt to the Cubs, and the Tribe also discussed closer Mark Melancon with the Pirates before he was traded to the Nationals. The acquistion of Miller will obviously bolster the the Indians' bullpen, which has 3.58 ERA this year, good for 10th in MLB.
Jordan Bastian has covered the Indians for MLB.com since 2011, and previously covered the Blue Jays from 2006-10. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, follow him on Twitter @MLBastian and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Indians reportedly close to acquiring Lucroy, Miller
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