CLEVELAND - Jay Bruce has been on Cleveland's radar for some time.
On Wednesday, the Indians finally landed the veteran outfielder.
Hours after putting All-Star Michael Brantley on the disabled list with an ankle injury, the Indians acquired Bruce from the New York Mets for minor league pitcher Ryder Ryan. The Indians were quiet at last month's trading deadline, but they were able to get Bruce after he cleared waivers unclaimed.
After losing Game 7 of the World Series last year to the Chicago Cubs, the Indians want to end their own title drought stretching to 1948 and believe Bruce can help.
"He's been a consistent power threat and a guy that's been able to hit in the middle of the order and be a really productive hitter over the course of his career," Indians president Chris Antonetti said on a conference call.
"And he's in the midst of having one of the best years of his career in terms of his power output and his slugging, and he's a guy that we think will add to our group on the field and complement our team in the clubhouse, because Jay's also not only known as a really productive player, but a very good teammate and a first-class professional."
With both Brantley and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall out with injuries, the defending AL champs were in the market for a proven outfielder with some pop. Bruce fits the bill perfectly and can also play first base.
"Obviously, if both Michael and Lonnie are healthy and unrestricted at this point, we wouldn't have the opportunity for a player like Jay," Antonetti said. "But, with Lonnie still at least a little ways off from being able to get out on a rehab assignment and get back to the active roster, and Michael sustaining the injury the other day, now we felt that bringing in Jay will help us while those guys are out."
Bruce, who is hitting .256 with 29 homers and 75 RBI for the Mets, will give Indians protection while Brantley recovers. It's not known how long Brantley, who is having a strong season after playing in just 11 games and missing the 2016 postseason, might be out with an injury sustained Tuesday night.