Indians acquire Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from the Padres in exchange for Francisco Mejia.
The Indians desperately needed relief help and have landed one of the best relievers thought to be available along with a solid second bullpen arm. It didn't come cheap, of course, as Mejia is arguably the top catching prospect in the game. How manager Terry Francona ultimately uses Hand remains to be seen, but he would figure to be in the mix for saves along with Cody Allen and Andrew Miller. Allen and Miller are set for free agency this winter and Hand is under team control relatively cheaply through 2021, so he could be the team's long-term closer even if he won't have the job outright in 2018. Cimber is not yet arbitration-eligible. Kirby Yates is set to take over the closer job in San Diego.
Cimber isn't a hard thrower, but the sidearmer has had an excellent rookie season with a 3.17 ERA and 51/10 K/BB ratio over 48 1/3 innings. Left-handed batters have handled him, but he'll be a weapon for manager Terry Francona versus righties.
The Indians desperately needed relief help and have landed one of the best relievers thought to be available along with a solid second bullpen arm. It didn't come cheap, of course, as Mejia is arguably the top catching prospect in the game. How manager Terry Francona ultimately uses Hand remains to be seen, but he would figure to be in the mix for saves along with Cody Allen and Andrew Miller. Allen and Miller are set for free agency this winter and Hand is under team control relatively cheaply through 2021, so he could be the team's long-term closer even if he won't have the job outright in 2018. Cimber is not yet arbitration-eligible. Kirby Yates is set to take over the closer job in San Diego.
Cimber isn't a hard thrower, but the sidearmer has had an excellent rookie season with a 3.17 ERA and 51/10 K/BB ratio over 48 1/3 innings. Left-handed batters have handled him, but he'll be a weapon for manager Terry Francona versus righties.
