Factory Of Sadness
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5 ways Cleveland Indians trade for Brad Hand impacts the organization

By Nick Dudukovich

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Brad Hand #52 of the San Diego Padres and the National League pitches in the eighth inning against the American League during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Brad Hand #52 of the San Diego Padres and the National League pitches in the eighth inning against the American League during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 14: Francisco Mejia #27 of the Cleveland Indians bats against the New York Yankees in the second inning at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 14: Francisco Mejia #27 of the Cleveland Indians bats against the New York Yankees in the second inning at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

5. Mejia to the NL

If Francisco Mejia becomes a star, and he very well could, it’s going to happen about as far away from Cleveland you can get, in the National League West with the San Diego Padres.

Losing Mejia hurts, because it’s no secret the guys hits. It doesn’t matter what level he plays at, he’s going to hit around .300.

Go back and look at Jose Ramirez‘s minor league numbers. Yes, the Indians found him on a field playing ball next to a grazing goat, but Ramirez was consistent in the minors, posting a lifetime average of .304.

Mejia’s ability to generate offense at a position most commonly known for defense puts a premium on his ability.

FOX SportsTime Ohio analyst Jensen Lewis talked on ESPN Cleveland’s Really Big Show (subscription) about Mejia’s hesitation to play right field because he came up as a catcher.

Hearing he may have had doubts is a concern, especially since it looked like the Tribe was going to use him in the outfield during the pennant race. Mejia had been playing right in the minors and even started at the position during last week’s Triple-A All-Star game.

Hopefully Hand stays healthy and plays to his potential, because there’s no doubt in my mind, Cleveland lost a good one.

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At the very least, we’ll only have to see him the rare interleague occasion where the Indians play the Padres.

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