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Report: Indians interested in Tigers' Wilson

Brad Rempel / USA TODAY Sports

One year after swinging a blockbuster deadline deal to land a coveted left-handed reliever in Andrew Miller, the Cleveland Indians appear ready to do it again.

Cleveland has reportedly reached out to its division rivals, the Detroit Tigers, about southpaw Justin Wilson, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

The Indians are looking to give their already formidable bullpen unit a boost for the stretch run now that left-hander Boone Logan is on the disabled list. Wilson would certainly fit that bill and add yet another excellent arm to help Miller and Cody Allen shut down the opposition in the late innings.

Led by the continued excellence of Miller and Allen, plus the effective middle-inning tandem of Bryan Shaw and Nick Goody, Cleveland relievers own a collective 2.79 ERA while holding hitters to a paltry .222 average this season. But outside of Miller and Logan, the team lacks left-handed relief options - a problem that's become more pronounced since Logan got hurt.

Wilson, who will turn 30 next month, is in the midst of a career season for the Tigers, who are expected to sell off many of their expensive veteran pieces before the July 31 deadline. In 41 appearances this season, Wilson owns a 2.75 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts while compiling 12 saves. Although left-handed batters own a paltry .633 OPS against him this year, Wilson's reverse splits against righties - .531 OPS and 36 strikeouts in 109 plate appearances - have made him a dynamic late-inning weapon who's now in high demand on the trade market.

In addition to the Indians, Wilson has reportedly drawn interest from at least six other teams, with the Houston Astros apparently emerging as the "most focused" suitor for his services.

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