Clint Frazier’s rather uneventful Progressive Field debut

Former Cleveland Indians prospect Clint Frazier finally played his first game at Progressive Field, but did so as a member of the New York Yankees.

As fate would have it, Clint Frazier made his Cleveland debut while Andrew Miller is on the disabled list. Clearly only one can be on the field at the same time.

The Cleveland Indians traded Frazier to the New York Yankees one year ago to acquire Miller, and the trade remains a smart one for the Indians. Miller had a historic postseason and is once again having a solid season, even though he is currently on the DL.

And with Bradley Zimmer, Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall being the main outfield pieces, when all are healthy, there simply wasn’t any room for Frazier with the Indians.

It was hard to call Frazier’s Progressive Field debut Thursday night a true return to Cleveland, as he never actually played in a game for the Indians. For casual fans, he was simply a top prospect being dealt to bring in proven talent.

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However, Thursday’s game was an odd sight for those fans who always expected Frazier to make his Progressive Field debut in an Indians uniform.

As a special treat for the rookie, Frazier got to face Corey Kluber, but did have some success. He struck out twice but had one of his team’s three hits with a nice double off the Indians’ ace.

He did have a defensive blunder when he launched a ball from right field into the stands behind third base, accounting for one of three errors made by the Yankees in the first inning.

Welcome to your new team, Sonny Gray.

No matter how successful Frazier becomes, it will be hard to fault the Indians for trading him in exchange for Andrew Miller. Winning one World Series will erase all potential frustration about the trade, but even if Miller continues at a great pace and does his job it is hard to spend too much time wondering what could have been if Frazier stayed.

Next: 5 best first-round picks in club history

The Indians turning into a perennial contender means top prospects will continue to be traded in the years to come, but as long as the trade helps the team compete there is no reason to get too upset. That is, as long as Francisco Mejia isn’t traded for an average player as he nearly was a season ago.