With the 2018 Major League baseball trade deadline approaching on July 31, one team that could look to improve their roster is the Cleveland Indians. The Indians currently sit first place in the AL Central with a record of 50-41. Here are three trades that could improve their team.

The Indians could go all in and try to get Manny Machado. In return, the Orioles would receive Jason Kipnis and two top prospects like catcher Francisco Meja and outfielder Will Benson. Meja is the Indians’ top ranked prospect while Benson grades out at eight. Machado would allow the Indians to move versatile infielder Jose Ramirez from third base to second base. Machado would bring a .309 batting average, 21 home runs, and 60 RBI to Cleveland’s lineup.

Another trade that could help improve the Indians roster would be adding an outfielder with speed. The outfielder they could aim for is Billy Hamilton from the Cincinnati Reds. He would off speed and be the perfect lead-off man. This season, he’s hitting .235 with 22 stolen bases and 65 hits. The Reds, in return could receive some young talent to help them improve for the future. The three players that they should look to get are outfielder Bradley Zimmer, pitcher Shane Bieber, and shortstop Aaron Brancho. Bieber is ranked fifth in the as a minors prospect and Brancho is ranked 13th.

The final trade the Indians could look to make is by adding some bullpen help. The MLB is scarce in terms of starting pitching as even teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, despite their lackluster record, are not looking to deal aces like Blake Snell or Chris Archer.

Cleveland should zero in on the righty of the Miami Marlins in Kyle Barraclough. He is having a stellar season pitching with a 1.34 ERA in 40 innings and has 44 strikeouts. Barraclough would give them some much needed bullpen help as three of their right handers hold a 4.00 ERA or worse. The Marlins in return could receive the Indians sixth ranked prospect in third baseman Nolan Jones and pitcher Aaron Civale.

Nailing one of these three trades would help the Indians make a strong playoff push. They could go big and get a star like Machado, get an all-purpose speedster like Hamilton, or barrel down in the bullpen with Barraclough. It should be exciting to see what goes down during this season’s trade deadline.

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