The Cleveland Indians are in contention again this season, battling with the White Sox for first place in the AL Central in the month of June. With a little less than two months until the MLB Trade Deadline, it's likely the Tribe could be buyers -- specifically for a right-handed bat, which they've desperately needed for two seasons now. Kevin Youkilis' name had previously surfaced as a potential trade target for Chris Antonetti and company, but Red Sox GM Ben Cherington denied rumors that Youk was on the market.
Buster Olney of ESPN tabbed the Indians as a potential suitor for Carlos Quentin, who the Padres will likely try to unload at the deadline this year as one of the most coveted hitters on the market. Here's what Olney said about the potential for the Tribe to work out a deal with the Pads:
He would be a perfect fit in so many ways; Quentin is a right-handed hitter, which the Indians need desperately. But it would not be the Indians' way to give up prospects for a short-term fix.
Quentin's bat would fit perfectly in the lineup, filling the gaping void of right-handed hitters. Antonetti has shown his willingness to make a deal for the "window of contention" but it would be difficult to part with more prospects after unloading the big-time arms last year for Ubaldo Jimenez.
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