On Nov. 30, the Cleveland Indians sent catcher Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals for right-handed pitcher Jefrey Rodriguez, outfielder Daniel Johnson and a player to be named later.
That play has now been named.
On Monday, the Indians announced that it has received infielder Andruw Monasterio from the Nationals, completing the trade. The 21-year-old Monasterio spent last season in the Nationals' and Chicago Cubs' minor league systems, compiling a .267 batting average and 14 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers and 36 RBI over the course of 122 combined games at the Class A-Advanced level.
The right-handed Monasterio played 83 games at second base, 31 games at shortstop and 6 at third base last season. He was acquired by the Nationals from the Cubs in July in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brandon Kintzler.
Gomes, who spent the past six seasons of his career with Cleveland, was the first veteran the Indians traded in what turned out to be just the start of a busy offseason for the team. Last week, the Indians reacquired first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana in a 3-team trade that sent Edwin Encarnacion to the Seattle Mariners and Yandy Diaz to the Tampa Bay Rays. On Friday, Cleveland sent first baseman Yonder Alonso to the Chicago White Sox, in a deal that brought the Indians' offseason savings total to $21.5 million.
With that, the Indians are reportedly less likely to deal either Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer as had previously been discussed. Although with the team's newfound flexibility, its wheeling and dealing likely isn't done just yet.
