The Indians have acquired left-handed reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees, a trade that signals Cleveland's seriousness about winning the World Series this year.
Cleveland will send four players, including highly touted outfielder Clint Frazier, to New York in exchange for Miller, one of baseball's best set-up men. The Indians have been lacking a quality reliever in the seventh and eighth innings, and Miller fills that void.
It's the second major move in 12 hours for the AL Central leaders, who are close to completing a deal for Milwaukee All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy. That trade is still pending physicals and Lucroy waiving his no-trade clause.
With a 4 1/2 game lead in the AL Central, the Indians feel these moves can help them win their first World Series since 1948. The club has resisted parting with top prospects in the past, but team owner Paul Dolan and the front office believe this is a year worth going for it.
The Indians are also feeding off a positive vibe in the city started when the Cavaliers, their next-door-neighbors in Gateway Plaza, won the NBA championship last month to end Cleveland's 52-year title drought.
New York's decision to move Miller comes after the team traded closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs.
Possessing a nearly unhittable slider, the 31-year-old Miller is 6-1 with a 1.39 ERA.
