Call to the pen
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Cleveland Indians: Finding options for the bullpen

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Indians signals the bullpen to make a pitching change against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the six inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Indians signals the bullpen to make a pitching change against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the six inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Indians desperately need help in their bullpen. Which players could be an option come the trade deadline?

Over the past couple of years, the Cleveland Indians bullpen had been a strength. With closer Cody Allen and setup man extraordinaire Andrew Miller, the Indians were able to shut down the opposition. Underrated pieces like Dan Otero and Bryan Shaw played a vital role in the sixth and seventh innings, giving Cleveland a formidable bullpen.

This year has been much different. Shaw is in Colorado, having departed as a free agent. Miller has dealt with injuries this season. Otero has been a disaster this season, already allowing more homers than he did in all of 2017, which has led to his ERA more than doubling. These issues have led to the Indians bullpen being one of the worst in the majors, with their 5.04 ERA heading into Wednesday better than only the Royals and Rockies.

As the Indians rotation appears to have solidified due to the presence of Shane Bieber, and the eminent return of Carlos Carrasco, the focus now needs to turn to the bullpen. That is especially the case as their window of contention could be closing, as Miller and Allen are both free agents after the season. Adding an arm or two to the bullpen could make a difference as Cleveland looks to end their championship drought.

Which arms could the Cleveland Indians target? Here are a few possibilities that could make sense.

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