CLEVELAND -- With All-Star Week in the books, the next major event on the MLB calendar is the July 31 trade deadline.
And as was the case during the Midsummer Classic, Cleveland could once again be a major player in the festivities.
Following an 8-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday, the Indians find themselves 6.0 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central. With 10 games still remaining against their division's first-place team -- and an otherwise manageable schedule ahead -- Cleveland appears to be in a prime position to bolster its lineup heading into arguably its most important stretch of the season.
When it comes to their pitching staff, the Indians may very well be sellers, with starter Trevor Bauer having been one of the most talked-about players in baseball leading up to the trade deadline. That, however, may not stop Cleveland from attempting to add pieces elsewhere, with the following five players possessing the potential to be intriguing trade deadline acquisitions for the Tribe:
Detroit Tigers OF Nicholas Castellanos
If the Indians want to get an early start on their trade deadline buying, it may be as simple as walking into the visiting team's clubhouse this week. With the Tigers still in the early stages of what will likely be a lengthy rebuild, Detroit figures to be one of this summer's biggest sellers, with outfielder Nicholas Castellanos representing one of its most valuable assets.
At 27-year-old, Castellanos is currently in the midst of the final year of his contract and would likely be little more than a rental for Cleveland. But his impending free agency -- as well as his prorated $10 million salary -- could make him affordable for an Indians team that won't be willing to part ways with any of its top tier prospects.
Having hit for .280/.342/.463, 9 home runs, 34 RBIs and an MLB-best 31 doubles this season, Castellanos could provide the consistent right-handed bat Cleveland has been searching for since the start of the season. While he's primarily played right field for the past two seasons, he also possesses experience as a third baseman and designated hitter.
Cincinnati Reds OF Yasiel Puig
When it comes to potential trades, one of the Indians' most intriguing partners might be just down I-71. The only problem is that the Cincinnati Reds may currently be unwilling to sell as they are only 5.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot.
But if the Reds do find themselves in a position to part ways with some of their top players between now and July 31, Yasiel Puig could be one of Cleveland's top targets. A right-handed hitting right fielder, Puig could fill the same void Castellanos would, while providing more power (22 home runs, 56 RBIs, .509 slugging percentage) to an Indians lineup in need of just that.
Like Castellanos, Puig is currently in the final year of his contract and would likely only be a rental for the Tribe. But the 28-year-old's prorated $9.7 million salary should be affordable enough for Cleveland should it find itself in a position to acquire the former All-Star.
Cincinnati Reds 2B Derek Dietrich
Joining the Reds on a Minor League contract last offseason, the Indians presumably had the opportunity to sign Derek Dietrich earlier this year and passed. In doing so, they missed out a player who's since gone on to compile 19 home runs and 43 RBIs in 85 games with Cincinnati this season.
Although his .216 batting average leaves something to be desired, the 29-year-old St. Ignatius product posses respectable on-base (.341) and slugging percentages (.538). And with his versatility to play second base, third base or in the outfield, he could spell multiple players, such as Jason Kipnis, from their everyday duties.
As another left-handed hitter, Dietrich may not be the most ideal fit in the Indians lineup, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't provide an upgrade. Like Puig, his availability will likely come down to whether or not the Reds feel they're still in contention for what would be their first postseason appearance since 2013.
New York Yankees OF Clint Frazier
While Clint Frazier may not provide the same instant upgrade Castellanos or Puig would, he may make for the smarter long term play. Unlike the three aforementioned options, the 24-year-old Frazier remains under team control for multiple years, as he's not even scheduled to begin arbitration until 2021.
What's more is that the Indians are plenty familiar with Frazier, who they selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. In 2016, Cleveland parted ways with the right-handed outfielder, who at the time was the top prospect in the Indians organization, sending him to New York in a trade to acquire All-Star reliever Andrew Miller.
Three years later, Frazier could be on the move again as he's been linked to his former team in a potential deal in which the Yankees would add Bauer. And while Frazier has split time between New York and the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate this season, his age could put him right in line to rejoin the Indians as a part of the franchise's emerging young core.
Seattle Mariners OF Mitch Haniger
For multiple reasons -- including that he hasn't played since June 6 after suffering a ruptured testicle -- it's probably a long shot that the Indians could pull off a deal to acquire Mitch Haniger from the Seattle Mariners. But it's worth noting that in May, veteran USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale not only floated the 28-year-old former All-Star as a potential trade target, but specifically cited Cleveland as a destination.
"He’s coming off an All-Star season, and is earning only $590,000," Nightengale noted. "He could be the type of outfielder the doctor ordered for the Cleveland Indians."
While it remains unclear when the right-handed right fielder will return, it's worth noting he remains under team control (via arbitration) for the next three years. Acquiring him, however, would likely require a haul -- one that Cleveland likely wouldn't be willing to surrender given the uncertainty surrounding his immediate future.
In 63 games this season, the right-handed Haniger compiled a split line of .220/.314/.463 to go along with 15 home runs and 32 RBIs.