The Cleveland Guardians have established themselves as a legitimate contender in the American League again this season. With the competition seeming more wide open than it’s been in the past, the Guardians will soon have to evaluate how they will approach the rest of the campaign and whether they are willing to make a big move at the trade deadline.
An upgrade to the bullpen is seen as one of the more likely moves, but the Guardians might consider something more substantial than that. Unfortunately, because so many teams believe they have the potential to make the playoffs, the market is likely to be crowded.
MLB insider Mark Feinsand has revealed the Guardians’ likely stance approaching the trade deadline of Aug. 3, and he puts them in a large group of potential buyers that notably does not include any of their AL Central rivals.
“The Rays, Yankees, Blue Jays, Guardians, Mariners, A’s, Rangers, Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Pirates, Dodgers, Padres and Diamondbacks all figure to be buyers to some extent as of today, though a lot can happen between now and the beginning of August,” Feinsand wrote.
Heading into play Tuesday, the Guardians continue to surprisingly hold the No. 2 seed in the American League, though the Seattle Mariners are gaining on them with their current seven-game winning streak. The Tampa Bay Rays hold the No. 1 seed, with their lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East becoming narrower.
Cleveland is also being threatened in its division by the surprising Chicago White Sox, who had their five-game winning streak ended by the Minnesota Twins on Monday. The White Sox were not expected to be playoff contenders this season, and they recently lost standout rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, so their status as a possible buyer could be in flux.
The Guardians do not have a glaring need right now, with the possible exception of offense at catcher. They could move on from veterans Steven Kwan and Rhys Hoskins in any potential deadline deal, as both have struggled at the plate this season.
Cleveland has also been fortunate to have used the same five starting pitchers in every game, so, barring a significant injury, if they do make a deadline move, it would likely be to provide a boost to its offense.
NEXT: Guardians Move Down In Power Rankings After Tough Week
