Tribe, Allen reach deal; Bruce heads to Mets

Reliever gets $10.6 million; Bruce going back to the Mets

The Indians avoided going to arbitration with Cody Allen by signing their closer to a $10.575 million deal for 2018, the Indians announced on Jan. 10.

The Tribe’s bullpen has taken a hit this offseason. Bryan Shaw signed with the Colorado Rockies and Joe Smith signed with the Houston Astros as free agents.

Allen ,29, will be eligible for free agency next winter, as will ace set-up man Andrew Miller.

Signing Allen before the decision was left to an arbiter avoids the chance of either side being left with hard feelings. Agreeing to a contract for 2018 could make it easier to negotiate a long-term deal before Allen hits the free agent market next winter. Once that happens, it could be difficult to reel him back in.

Allen saved 30 games for the Indians in 2017 — his third straight season with at least 30 saves. He saved 34 in 2015 and 32 in 2016.

All told, Allen saved 122 games in 135 save opportunities from 2014 to 2017 — a 90.3 percent success rate.

Allen has been magnificent for the Indians in the playoffs. He saved six games in six opportunities in the 2016 playoffs, highlighted by three saves in the ALCS with Toronto.

He was one-for-one in save opportunities in the ALDS with the Yankees in 2017.

Bruce to Mets

Jay Bruce, the definition of a rent-a-player for the final 50 games of 2017 for the Indians, has re-signed with the New York Mets.

The Indians acquired Bruce from the Mets on Aug. 9, one day after left fielder Michael Brantley suffered a sprained left ankle, for Lake County Captains relief pitcher Ryder Ryan.

Bruce, popular in the Indians clubhouse during the two months he was with the Tribe, played in 43 regularseason games with the Indians. He hit. 248 with seven home runs and 26 RBI. He scored 21 runs.

The deal Bruce is getting from the Mets is for three years and $39 million, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The Indians expected Bruce to sign elsewhere. Bruce said during his time with the Indians he was open to returning to the Mets. He was hitting .254 with 29 home runs and 75 RBI before being traded to the Indians.

As the roster stands, the Indians’ opening day outfield would be Brantley in left, Bradley Zimmer in center field and Lonnie Chisenhall in right. Brandon Guyer would play left field if Brantley’s surgically repaired ankle hasn’t healed sufficiently.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Indians relief pitcher Cody Allen has signed a one-year deal for $10.575 million.