REPORT: Indians Interested in Justin Smoak and Nicholas Castellanos

With the trade deadline approaching at 4 pm on Wednesday and no trades being allowed post deadline, many teams are in a crunch if they’d like to improve their ball club.

The Cleveland Indians are interested in Justin Smoak according to MLB Network insider, Jon Heyman.

Indians are among teams looking at Justin Smoak

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2019

Smoak in 2019 with the Blue Jays has an average of .215, 18 homers, 46 RBIs, in 293 ABs throughout 86 games. Smoak has struck out 71 times and walked 60 times, Smoak is drawing walks 16.7 % of the time he is at the plate. The first baseman is a free agent in 2020.

In his career Smoak has played in 1,215 games , 181 doubles, 187 home runs, 540 RBIs, walked 523 times, and has 1,045 strikeouts. Smoak has a career batting average of .232.

The Indians are also interested in Nicholas Castellanos of divisional foe, Detroit Tigers, according to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network.

The #Indians, an AL-best 17-5 this month, have played well enough that they're exploring short-term offensive upgrades. One name they've considered, according to a source: Nicholas Castellanos of the division rival #Tigers. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2019

Castellanos is also a free agent in 2020 but can provide a spark for Cleveland. Castellanos is hitting .273, with 36 doubles, 11 homers, and 37 RBIs in 99 games.

In his career the right fielder has hit .274, 207 doubles, 104 home runs, 424 RBIs, walked 224 times, and has 793 strikeouts throughout 836 games.

Time will tell in the next day if the Indians will make a move for a bat with intentions of reaching their 4th consecutive playoffs, along with a possible 4th consecutive AL Central Championship.