Indians ponder making trades

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Somehow, some way, despite key injuries and skeptics who don’t believe they can keep it up, the Cleveland Indians have spent much of the season atop the AL Central.

Much to almost everyone’s surprise, they’re in contention.

The trick now is staying there.

After dropping their final three games before the All-Star break and finishing the unofficial first half just one-half game behind first-place Detroit, the Indians, who have overcome their warts and blemishes by being resilient, resume their unexpected season tonight by opening a four-game series in Baltimore.

They’ll do so with a reshuffled starting rotation and a front office approaching the July 31 trading deadline with caution.

The Indians are in the market for a right-handed hitter and shopping for a veteran starter.

General manager Chris Antonetti has accepted the “window of opportunity” is open and it’s time to be active and add to his club for the playoff push. But at what cost?

“The plan is to win games, get to the postseason and win championships,” Antonetti said. “You have a certain opportunity to do that. This year, the way the team has played, this is one of those opportunities where we can compete. We’ll try to do everything we can to maximize this opportunity. That said, there is that balance of being mindful at what expense long term and what we will have to give up.

“We recognize there is going to have to be some compromise if we’re going to be giving up young players who can potentially contribute down the road. We understand there is going to be some cost associated with improving this year’s team. We just have to find out what the right balance is.”

The Indians (47-42) have a dilemma. If they truly believe they can get to the World Series, are they willing to sacrifice a few top prospects to get there? And if they don’t think this is their year and decide not to make any moves, what kind of message does that send to a frustrated and mostly apathetic fan base still grumbling over the organization’s inability to sign Cy Young winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez to long-term contracts?

It’s a tough call. It’s all Antonetti’s, and he’s prepared to make the Indians better — if he can.

“We’re open to any way we can improve the team, whatever that might be,” he said.