 Cruz spent most of 1996 and in the Giants minor league system and after playing for the Giants Triple-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies, for most of the season, was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 23, 1998, along with Steve Reed, for Shawon Dunston, José Mesa, and Alvin Morman.Cruz would play one game for the Indians in and would spend the rest of the year playing for the Buffalo Bisons, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate.On June 2, , the Indians traded Cruz to the Colorado Rockies for Jody Gerut and Josh Bard.