CLEVELAND -- Ricky Ledee says he is over the shock of being traded.

"I was sad when it happened, but I see this as an opportunity and I am ready," Ledee said Friday after taking batting practice for the first time as a member of the Cleveland Indians.

Ledee, 26, was dealt to Cleveland by the New York Yankees for outfielder David Justice on Thursday night. The Indians have until Aug. 1 to select two minor-league prospects from a list provided by the Yankees to complete the trade.

Ledee, wearing No. 22, was in the starting lineup against the Minnesota Twins as the left fielder, batting seventh. He went 1-for-3 with a walk in a 7-2 loss.

"I heard rumors of a trade and the last place I thought it would be was Cleveland," Ledee said. "I was surprised, but then I thought about it.

"I'm coming to a team with a lot of talent, a team that has been a consistent winner and wants to keep winning. It's a good situation.

"Still, I wasn't prepared for it. I spent 11 years in the Yankees organization."

The trade left the Indians clubhouse a bit confused.

"It kind of shocked everybody," pitcher Dave Burba said. "The general consensus is that there is more going on.

"To take the RBI leader out of your lineup, there has to be more to it."

Justice, 34, had 58 RBIs in 68 games with 21 home runs and a .265 average. Ledee batted .241 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 62 games with New York.

"Ricky has a definite upside," Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. "I'm going to put him in the lineup against all pitching and see what he can do. I remember him getting some big hits off our lefties last year.

"In the field, I want to see him play center and might even put him over in right field, too. I understand he can play all of them."

Manuel again dismissed suggestions that the deal meant Cleveland, 8-1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox, were giving up on a chance of winning a sixth consecutive AL Central title.

"Looking at where we are and where we want to be, this deal is definitely a positive," Manuel said. "We still need a few more things, a starting pitcher, some help in the bullpen and maybe another hitter, too.

"I like the way Ricky swings the bat. I think he can help us get there."