The Cleveland Indians have acquired right-handed hitting outfielder Brandon Guyer, 30, from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for two prospects.
Guyer is hitting .241 with seven homers and 18 RBI on the season. He owns a .347 OBP and as the Indians note, he is what some would call a “lefty-masher.”
We've acquired OF Brandon Guyer from the Rays for prospects.
Brandon's slash line vs. LHP in '16: .344/.488/.594. pic.twitter.com/gS34jHay8G
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 1, 2016
The Tribe sends OF Nathan Lukes and RHP Jhonleider Salinas to Tampa. Lukes was a seventh-round pick in 2015 MLB Amateur Draft, while Salinas is a 20-year-old prospect from Venezuela, who has shown some promise and has a high strikeout rate.
Guyer is signed for $1.1 mil. for the 2016 season and will become a free-agent after this season. He should be a good option to play corner outfield against left-handed pitching and could start against right-handers, as well.
It’s not a major splash, but helps the Tribe outfield situation, which has been dealing with the effects of Michael Brantley’s injury and the suspensions of Marlon Byrd and Abraham Almonte.
As a result of this move, we could see Jose Ramirez spend more time at third base rather than playing left field as much. The outfield now appears to consist of Lonnie Chisenhall, Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin, and Guyer at least until Brantley is ready to return.
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