Heading into this weekend's two-game series with the Cincinnati Reds, the Cleveland Indians find themselves just six games back of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.
And with a three-game series -- in Cleveland -- against their division's leader waiting on the other side of the All-Star break, the Indians may not have to wait long to close the gap on Minnesota in their quest for a fourth straight A.L. Central title.
As a result, a Cleveland team that once appeared set to be a seller in the weeks leading up the July 31 trade deadline may ultimately be a buyer. And it may not have to look far to add a pivotal piece, with recent reports linking the Indians to Detroit Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos.
In a piece published to the Detroit Free Press earlier this week, Anthony Fenech examined the four players most likely to be traded by the Tigers in the next four weeks. In doing so, he speculated that Cleveland could be a "team to keep an eye on" for the 27-year-old Castellanos, who is set to become a free agent at season's end.
"Another team to keep an eye on is the Indians, who could use offensive reinforcements," Fenech wrote. "This spring, Cleveland was said to have around $5 million left to improve their team at the trade deadline. Castellanos’ pro-rated $10 million salary would fit."
While the Indians -- and most teams in baseball, for that matter -- have typically been hesitant to make deals within their own division, Detroit's status as an undisputed seller and Castellanos' impending free agency could make this an exception. Should Cleveland acquire the right-handed hitting right fielder, it's unlikely he would remain with the Indians beyond the end of the ongoing season, which could negate any hesitance Detroit might have about dealing him to a division rival.
For Cleveland, its interest in Castellanos would be obvious. Although their lineup has proven more lively over the course of the past month, the Indians aren't currently in a position to turn down upgrades -- especially in the corners of their outfield.
Currently hitting .285/.347/.476 to go along with an American League-best 28 doubles, 9 home runs and 32 RBIs, Castellanos could provide just that while adding another consistent bat to the middle of Cleveland's batting order. Furthermore, Castellanos' prorated $9.95 million salary should be affordable for an Indians team that has been shy to take on payroll since the end of last season.
In past years, Cleveland has bolstered its late-season lineups with post-deadline acquisitions in Jay Bruce and Josh Donaldson. But with such waiver wire trades no longer available, the Indians' best bet to improve may very well be an intra-division deal.
