Deadline Dealings-Indians

Our series continues with a look at the Cleveland Indians.
The trade deadline is two days away and the Indians have decisions to make.
Cleveland is three games behind Detroit in the American League Central and are just one game behind in the race for a wild card slot,although there are five teams within two and a half games of each other in the battle,so unlike Pittsburgh-an investment may or may not put them into the postseason.

The Indians could use a corner bat (preferably righthanded) as neither Michael Brantley or Drew Stubbs fit my bill of a corner everyday outfielder and Mark Reynolds has been a huge disappointment after being signed as a free agent .
Lonnie Chisenhall has not done what the Indians have hoped at third,so an upgrade there could be a focal point.

Cleveland has gotten more than can be expected from the lower half of their rotation,so is it realistic to gamble that they can continue to harvest what they have from Zach McAllister,Corey Kluber and Scott Kazmir?
A new starter could allow one to move to the bullpen and provide depth to the rotation in case of injury.
The bullpen could use another arm as well for the postseason where bullpen depth is at a premium.

There are two problems with a large deadline move for Cleveland.
The first is-Money.
Don't be fooled by the signings of Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn,this is not a huge money player in the league.
Cleveland is not likely to add a huge contract,although Cliff Lee would be a tempting target.
The dollars are not there as even a contending team is struggling at the gate.

The other is that the Indians farm system lacks the type of talent that would bring a top notch player even if they were interested.
Francisco Lindor would be a massive trade chip,but is the one player that the team should not deal with Asdrubal Cabrera's departure on the horizon.
Dorssys Paulino has disappointed in Low A Lake County,Tyler Naquin has hit well at High A Carolina,but as when he was drafted,lacks power potential and Ronny Rodriguez might not have the interest from trade partners that he had before the season.
Other than Danny Salazar,the system already lacks arms and could use more,not less help.

I think the Indians need to make a run.I know I had a different plan for the Pirates,but bear with me.
The Pirates have prospects to set them up for a multi-year run,the Indians,other than Francisco Lindor,do not.
The Indians have holes that need filled in order to even make the playoffs,the Pirates are in good shape there.
Cleveland has ownership that the public wonders about its commitment and is not attending games,a move for a player that adds immediate help would show that commitment to winning that so many think is not there.
I would do whatever it takes (perhaps short of dealing Lindor,depends on the player and the contract) to add to the Indians and give a team and franchise some hope...