As it turns out, the Cleveland Indians might be in line to add another All-Star after all.
Hours after The Athletic's Jim Bowden reported the Baltimore Orioles will trade shortstop Manny Machado to a team in the National League -- likely the Los Angeles Dodgers or Philadelphia Phillies -- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported the Indians are among the teams interested in acquiring San Diego Padres relief pitcher Brad Hand.
While Machado may have been the sexier acquisition, adding Hand could fill the bigger need. It's no secret that Cleveland's bullpen has struggled throughout the 2018 campaign, due in part to offseason departures and injuries to top relief man Andrew Miller. In bolstering their bullpen, the Indians would be hard pressed to do better than Hand, who has been selected to All-Star Games in each of the past two seasons.
In 41 appearances this season, the left-hander has amassed a 3.05 earned run average to go along with 65 strikeouts and 24 saves. Perhaps most importantly for Cleveland, he remains under contract for the next two seasons with a club option for 2021, which could help the Indians hedge against the potential departures of Miller and Cody Allen after the current season.
As a result of Hand's All-Star ability on a team-friendly contract, his services aren't likely to come cheap to Cleveland in a potential trade. The Indians potential trade assets currently include top prospect Francisco Mejia, as well as promising young pitchers such as Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie.
The MLB non-waiver trade deadline this season is July 31.
