The Indians are clinging to first place, and now they've lost center fielder Grady Sizemore to the 15-day DL. Sizemore suffered a right knee contusion in yesterday's game. Michael Brantley is the last man standing in the Indians' outfield, with Shin-Soo Choo out until mid-August for a broken thumb.
The Tribe has been linked to Carlos Beltran, the top outfielder on the market. However, the $6MM remaining on Beltran's contract could be an obstacle. If the Indians are otherwise looking for right-handed hitters, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests, they may be limited to Hunter Pence, Marlon Byrd, Jeff Francoeur, Ryan Ludwick, Josh Willingham, Reed Johnson, and Scott Hairston in my opinion. And Pence is considered a long shot to be dealt.
Rosenthal, as well as Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, feel the Indians will also go after a starting pitcher. Here's a look at what's out there, with the Marlins' top starters probably off the board. SI's Jon Heyman reports that the Indians inquired on the Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda, as have the Tigers, Red Sox, Rangers, and Yankees.
