The Indians announced today that they’ve acquired outfielder Brandon Guyer from the Rays. Minor league outfielder Nathan Lukes is going to Tampa Bay, as is minor legaue right-hander Jhonleider Salinas.
Guyer, 30, will give the Rays a massive upgrade against left-handed pitching, as he’s crushed southpaws at a .344/.488/.594 clip in 82 plate appearances this season and has a career .283/.384/.464 slash when holding the platoon advantage. He can also provide manager Terry Francona with quite a bit of defensive versatility, as he’s capable of handling all three outfield positions. Guyer is earning $1.185MM this season and is arbitration eligible two more times before reaching the open market upon completion of the 2018 season.
Neither of the two names heading back to Tampa Bay in this deal cracked the midseason version of the Indians’ Top 30 prospects at MLB.com. Lukes, 22, recently moved up to Class-A Advanced after hitting .301/.375/.453 with five homers and 14 steals in 393 plate appearances in the Class-A Midwest League. The 20-year-old Salinas, meanwhile, has logged 30 innings in the Arizona Rookie League and compiled a 3.30 ERA with a 38-to-14 K/BB ratio in 30 innings of work.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported that Guyer had been traded (via Twitter) and that Salinas was in the deal. FanRag’s Jon Heyman reported that Guyer was going to Cleveland and Lukes was part of the package.
Horrible move for Indians
Go troll the Bosox fans.
Hahahahahahaha terrible move for the RAYS.
Good move for the Indians.
One of the dumbest trades by the Rays.
Why? A 30 year old platoon OF? It’s not like he’s going to bring back a team’s top prospect. Considering his skills and age, the best the Rays could hope for would be a couple of lotto ticket prospects. The Indians win this trade if Guyer helps them win a WS. The Rays win this trade if both players turn out to be serviceable guys. Both teams win if both of the previously listed scenarios happen. The only team that has any chance of “losing” this trade is the Indians and that only happens if one (or both) of the prospects given up turn out to be studs.
Because Guyer also is the person who CONSTANTLY leans in and purposely gets hit. He gets on so much and is a solid Defensive/offense plus he isn’t slow.
Curious to see the corresponding roster move. Hopefully DFA Uribe
Hey, Burgeezy… looks like you and probably the majority of your fellow Indians fans got your wish with Uribe’s DFA.
Now dump PED Almonte.
Not sexy, but definitely serviceable and acquired at the right price.
LOL WHO
We got Andrew Miller!!!!!!!!
“Guyer, 30, will give the Rays a massive upgrade…”
Busy time for y’all, but it gives the tribe a massive upgrade. #nitpicking
My thunder you stole!! 🙂
No they got the article right it’s good old fashion addition by subtraction, getting rid of the stiff really improved their team.
Such a shame cubs over paid for Garza. Who was pretty good but he was never gonna be an ace no matter where he pitched.
You say the Cubs over payed for Garza but at the same time you admit he was pretty good with the Cubs. Costs the Cubs Archer basically who had a good year and now not so good a year.
Cubs got Garza and OF Fernando Perez and RP Zac Rosscup (lefty).
Rays got Archer, Guyer, C Robinson Chirinos, Sam Fuld, and SS Hak-Ju Lee.
Cubs trade Garza for Mike Olt Neil Ramirez CJ Edwards and Justin Grimm.
So the Rays did well no doubt. The Cubs still have Zac Rosscup Justin Grimm and CJ Edwards to now show for it. Not to mention the several real good years Garza gave the Cubs when they were in go for it mode.
I think the Cubs come out good as well. Looks like a win win trade for both.
Luke’s, if he gets to the majors, is more or a Kermeir-ish type. But he’s really far away. Lottery ticket but one with decent odds attached.
I am a huge Rays fan and this deal really upsets me. I am hoping the Rays trade one of there starters for a quality bat before the deadline is over.
This trade is probably one of the worst moves by the Rays.
Never seen Guyer play. His butt is always on the bench against our RHP. Guess his value is getting HBP. Kelly Shoppach 2.0 At least the Indians didn’t give up any top 30 prospects. Guess Guyer appeals because he has 1 year of control. Pearce would be a rental but at least gave protection @1B. If Napoli or Santana gets hurt AAAA 1B Aguilar is up & thats a scary proposition.
Who needs Carlos Beltran or some other big bat when you can sign a superstar in the making like this?
Tampa Bay,if they want to fill those seats, they have to bring good players , they always trade for mediocre players wish them luck