5:32pm: The Indians offered to pick up Carlos Beltran’s salary and give up a good player in return, according to Peter Gammons in a piece at MLB.com. Cleveland “did not fit,” for Beltran, who will accept and turn down trades based on which teams he expects to win, Gammons writes.
5:18pm: Indians GM Chris Antonetti told MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian that the Indians are prepared to trade quality players or add payroll if it means improving the team’s playoff chances (all Twitter links). Now one game behind the Tigers in the AL Central, Cleveland isn’t limited to minor moves this summer.
"We are willing to trade good players and we're willing to take on salary to improve the team," Antonetti said.
The GM finds it difficult to imagine parting with one of the organization’s best young players for a rental player, but he’ll consider trading top prospects if he’s presented with a “compelling deal.”
The Indians have interest in outfielders, including B.J. Upton, infielders, including Jamey Carroll, and starters, including Hiroki Kuroda.
