With the trade deadline just days away, the Cleveland Indians are lining up to make one more deal.
After landing Brad Hand to bolster one of the league’s worst bullpens, some might have expected the Cleveland Indians to rest. That’s not the case, however, as another deal might be coming shortly if the right pieces fall into place.
Losing Bradley Zimmer to an injury means there’s avoid in centerfield for Cleveland. It sounds like the front office has every intention of filling that hole before the non-waiver trade deadline passes on Monday afternoon.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Indians are not done sniffing around the trade market and are actively looking at outfielders. Specifically, Cleveland is looking at help in centerfield and right field.
Names like Adam Jones and Curtis Granderson are being tossed out as viable options, with Cleveland having an established interest in the former. Both would offer veteran help to a lineup that is trying to prime for a serious World Series run.
It’s worth noting that in addition to the interest that already exists in Jones, the Indians were apparently deep in talks with the Orioles for Manny Machado. Ultimately a deal was struck to send the infielder to Los Angeles, but there’s a connection there between the two clubs that could hop tracks.
As for Granderson, there’s less of a connection with the Blue Jays but it wouldn’t be hard to pry him away from the struggling club. Toronto is looking to be sellers at the deadline, with most attention focusing on J.A. Happ. Granderson was moved last year to a contender and ended up being a nice role player on a Dodgers team that almost won the World Series.
Cleveland is in one of baseball’s worst divisions and isn’t being taken with complete seriousness as a true contender. Adding Hand was a great start and capping off this trade season with Jones or Granderson could be the move that at least raises curiosity if not capturing some attention.