At 36-35, the Cleveland Guardians are trying to stay afloat while they wait for Shane Bieber, Chase DeLauter, C.J. Kayfus, and a couple of hypothetical trade acquisitions before the deadline.
Speaking of the trade market, the team must bring someone from outside the organization if they want to remain competitive in the increasingly difficult American League.
The feeling is that the 2025 Guardians are talented, but flawed, and their mediocre record and the negative run differential of -25 are reflections of that.
The trade deadline is still several weeks away, but MLB squads are already defining their strategies and identifying potential names to watch and pursue.
That includes the Guardians, of course.
MLB insider Mark Feinsand examined 14 potential trade candidates and where they might get dealt.
For each player, Feinsand identified a few potential fits.
Five of the 14 players he wrote about could potentially, according to him, fit in Cleveland.
They are pitchers Edward Cabrera and Dennis Santana, outfielders Jesus Sanchez and Taylor Ward, and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
Landing Ozuna might represent a defensive risk given the fact that he is a poor outfielder and more of a DH at this stage of his career, but his 132 wRC+ and 11 home runs mean he is exactly the kind of bat Cleveland needs.
His lack of defensive versatility/talent would worsen the already existing logjam involving Carlos Santana, Kyle Manzardo, and David Fry, though.
Sanchez would be a younger alternative, but his upside isn’t nearly as high.
The Guardians would probably work wonders with Edward Cabrera, and Santana could improve the bullpen.
The big question is, will the Guards invest in prospects and absorb the necessary salary to add game-changing talent?
We shall see in a few weeks.
NEXT: Analyst Makes Case For Guardians To Bench Young Utilityman
