clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cleveland Indians acquire outfielder Brandon Guyer from Rays

A small, smart deal to shore up the outfield.

By Matt Lyons
Duane Burleson/Getty Images

The Cleveland Indians were determined to grab a bat before the trade deadline passed, and they have done just that by acquiring outfielder Brandon Guyer from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfield prospect Nathan Lukes and pitching prospect Jhonleider Salinas.

Guyer, 30, has played a mix of every outfield position in his career, with an emphasis on left field most recently with the Tampa Bay Rays. His dramatic splits against left-handed pitchers (.283/.383/.463 career) vs. right-handed pitchers (.231/.301/.337 career) make him an ideal platoon partner for Lonnie Chisenhall, who has struggled against lefties at times in his career. This season, Chisenhall is slashing .235/.297/.382 against southpaws.

The addition of Guyer could also mean the end of Abraham Almonte, who has served as the Tribe's fourth outfielder since returning from an 80-game suspension for PED use, but has not been particularly effective. And, unlike Almonte, Guyer is eligible to be a part of the postseason roster.

Nathan Lukes has spent the majority of 2016 with the Class-A Lake County Captains, slashing .301/.375/.453 with five home runs in 89 games. He was recently promoted to the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats.

Guyer will be eligible for salary arbitration through the 2018 season.

More From Covering the Corner