Thanks to the results of the past two weeks, the Cleveland Guardians should have a pretty good idea of how to approach the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline. After playing two very tight series against the Chicago White Sox, the Guardians have to expect that the AL Central race is likely to go down to the wire, and any improvement they can make to their roster could make all the difference.
Cleveland has needed a potent bat since long before the season started, and they have not satisfied that shortcoming as of yet, so that is an obvious target. The Guardians have also been linked to a starting pitcher or depth for their bullpen.
Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden named his two best trade deadline fits for the Guardians, identifying power-hitting Washington Nationals infielders Luis Garcia Jr. and Curtis Mead.
“Best fit: Luis Garcia Jr. and Curtis Mead, IFs, Washington Nationals,” Bowden wrote. “Both Garcia and Mead are having their best seasons and Washington desperately needs to upgrade both its rotation and bullpen. Pitching is a strength for Cleveland while offense is a strength for the Nats, making them good trade matches.”
Washington is on the fringes of the wild-card race in the National League, so it may have to fall out of contention to consider parting with Garcia or Mead. Yet, they are each having a career-best season, so their trade value may never be higher.
That could create serious competition for the Guardians should they be put on the market. But Cleveland does have one of the best prospect pools in the game and should be able to create a legitimate deal for either of them.
In his seventh MLB season at just 26 years old, Garcia already has a new career-high with 19 home runs and is near his best mark with 65 RBIs this year. He is a left-handed hitter, which may not satisfy Cleveland’s desire for a right-handed bat.
That could make Mead the more attractive option. The 25-year-old had never hit more than three home runs in a season over limited playing time, but given the opportunity in his first year with the Nationals, he has 15 homers in 75 games.
If Washington does indeed want pitching in return, the Guardians could offer Braylon Doughty, Khal Stephen and/or Joey Oakie, who are ranked among their top seven overall prospects by MLB.com.
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