Cleveland gets Miller, but Lucroy says no deal
Serious about winning the World Series, the Indians batted .500 in making a pair of major trades on Sunday.
Call it an all-star split doubleheader.
Going all in for October, the AL Central leader acquired all-star lefthanded reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees for four minor leaguers.
The deal came less than 12 hours after the Indians had reached agreement on the parameters of a swap with Milwaukee for Brewers all-star catcher Jonathan Lucroy. However, that trade was scrapped by Lucroy, who refused to waive his no-trade clause and turned down a chance to join a contender.
“There were some circumstances that came up that made me void it, obviously,” Lucroy said in Milwaukee.
“I think when it eventually comes out, everyone will understand why. I’m not going to comment on any specifics.” In other moves Sunday: The New York Yankees acquired righty reliever Tyler Clippard from the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitching prospect Vicente Campos.
The Seattle Mariners traded starter Wade Miley to the Baltimore Orioles for Cuban pitching prospect Ariel Miranda. Miley is 7-8 with a 4.98 ERA, but had a 3.45 ERA in five July starts and pitched seven innings of one-hit ball in a win over the Cubs on Saturday.
The Chicago White Sox traded veteran lefty Zach Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league outfielder Charlie Tilson.
Lucroy’s decision would have been a huge blow to the Indians if not for the addition of Miller, who will help Cleveland manager Terry Francona shorten games and gives the Indians a legitimate shot at winning their first World Series title since 1948.
“It certainly should help us a lot,” Francona said before the Indians beat the Oakland Athletics 8-0 to complete a three-game sweep. “I know when we go into New York next week, we don’t have to face Andrew Miller, which will be really nice.”
So will his ability to mix and match Miller with right-hander Bryan Shaw in the late innings before handing the ball to closer Cody Allen.
The Indians sent four minor leaguers, including highly touted outfielder Clint Frazier, to New York for the 31-year-old Miller, who could be ready to join the bullpen when the club opens a four-game series against Minnesota.