CLEVELAND — If the Indians don’t make a move or two prior to the July 31 trading deadline, manager Manny Acta says it won’t be due to lack of effort.
“We’re trying real hard to get the right guy or right guys,” said Acta, whose club is searching for offensive assistance to help keep it afloat in the Central Division race. “I think if anything is going to happen, it’s going to happen this week. (Teams) are trying to hold on until the last day.
“If nothing happened because we didn’t try, yes (I would be disappointed). But I know (the front office) is working really hard. I’m in the middle of everything and I see it.”
Ideally, the Indians are looking for a hitter or two that could impact a sagging offense that is without key injured components Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo, with whoever they acquire under a favorable contract that allows the club to control their future rights.
The Indians will most likely be forced to part with one or two of their prized prospects in a trade and don’t want to be hamstrung by a player that isn’t in their plans going forward.
“I’m not here to make the playoffs once and that’s it,” Acta said. “We’re trying to build something that’s going to get (fans) excited for years to come, like we did this year. We’re just looking for the right deal.”
Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran and Houston outfielder Hunter Pence are the biggest names among the players that appear to fit Cleveland’s offensive needs. The Indians have reportedly shown interest in outfielders Ryan Ludwick (San Diego), B.J. Upton (Tampa Bay) and Josh Willingham (Oakland) as well.
“I like what we have,” said Indians pitcher Justin Masterson. “But if we go make a move or two and bring someone in, you’re not against it. It could be a little spark that continues to push us.”
Better Brantley
Though he went 0-for-4 Sunday, it’s been a good month for outfielder Michael Brantley, who has his average up to a respectable .278.
Brantley is hitting .316 (25-for-59) with a home run and 10 RBIs in 19 July games. He’s batting .373 (22-for-59) with multihit efforts in eight of his last 13 games.
Next up
The Indians continue the homestand with a three-game series against the Angels that begins tonight at 7:05.
Fausto Carmona (5-10, 5.63 ERA) opens the set, opposing RHP Dan Haren (10-6, 3.10), while Josh Tomlin (11-4, 4.12) starts for Cleveland on Tuesday (7:05 p.m.) against RHP Jered Weaver (13-4, 1.81).
David Huff (1-0, 0.00) goes for the Indians in the series finale Wednesday (12:05), while Los Angeles counters with RHP Ervin Santana (5-8, 3.69).
The Indians are just 2-4 against the Angels in 2011.
Minor details
Reliever Nick Hagadone has put together a solid season thus far, entering Sunday with a combined 2.75 ERA for Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron in 33 games. Hagadone, acquired in the Victor Martinez trade with Boston in 2009, had struck out 55 batters over 52 1/3 innings through Saturday, and had posted a 0.57 ERA in 15 2/3 innings for the Clippers since June 23. … Akron outfielder Ben Copeland, a free-agent acquisition in June from the Giants, went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs in a 7-1 win over Erie on Saturday. Copeland, 27, entered Sunday batting .326 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 24 games for the Aeros.
Roundin’ third
The Indians are 15-16 against the Central Division. … Legendary Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel started at second base for the White Sox, going 1-for-3 with a run in Chicago’s decisive sixth inning and handling plenty of action in the field (seven assists). He received a loud ovation from the crowd prior to his first at-bat in the third. … Lifehouse performed a postgame concert in front of around 5,000 fans after the event and Indians game were postponed Saturday night. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
