This morning, the Cleveland Indians acquired relievers Brand Hand and Adam Cimber from the San Diego Padres in exchange for top catching prospect Francisco Mejia. Lets take a look at why this is a good deal for both sides.
Why is this a Good Deal for Cleveland?
The Indians currently have a 7.5 game lead in the AL Central. Their bullpen is loaded, and is one of the top units in the game. The acquisition of both Hand and Cimber is only going to make this group even more stellar.
Brad Hand
In Hand, the Indians are receiving an elite lefty to complement Andrew Miller. Hand has been great as the Padres closer since 2016, posting a 2.66 ERA over 213 innings. In fact, over that same span Hand has been the 12th most valuable reliever in the game.
The Indians now own Hand on a cheap contract for the next two and a half years. That contract is one of the reasons Hand was seen as one of the top relief options on the trade market this deadline.
Adam Cimber
Cimber falls a bit more under the radar, as compared to Hand. He is a 27-year old rookie right-hander. He has been a big piece in the Padres bullpen this year, posting a 3.17 ERA and striking out 51 batters in 48 innings.
The thing that makes Cimber so deceptive is his funky, unique pitching motion. What makes Cimber most attractive on the trade market, is the fact that he comes with another five and a half years of control.
Why is this a Good Deal for San Diego?
The Padres are a team on the rise, it is just going to take another couple of years. Picking up catching prospect Francisco Mejia, just adds another excellent piece for the future. Mejia is the Indians top prospect, and the No.15 prospect in baseball. He will be joining a stellar Padres far system. San Diego now have three of the top 15 prospects in MLB, seven in the top 50, and nine in the top 100.
Mejia will certainly jump in as the starting catcher for the long-term in San Diego, with Austin Hedges backing him up. Mejia is a switch-hitting, offense first catcher, He has an excellent aggressive approach from both sides of the plate, and has some sneaky power. Defensively, he is average behind the plate but has a tremendous arm.
Last Word
This trade is a win/win situation for both teams. Cleveland stocks up two great and controllable arms in their bullpen for the playoff run. San Diego adds some pieces to their already bright future. It is just a matter of time before the Padres become a very relevant team again. The future is bright with Fernando Tatis Jr.and Luis Urias up the middle, and now Mejia joining them.
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