2 Guardians Trade Deadline Moves Completely Changed The Offense

For weeks, months, and even years, Cleveland Guardians fans have had to read that their team had one of baseball’s worst offenses. For the most part, the statement is unequivocally true.

Even in 2026, the squad finished the regular season ranked 24th out of 30 MLB teams in runs scored. They were also 21st in wRC+ with a 97 mark, and 27th in total home runs with 162. The numbers don’t lie: Cleveland’s offense finished the 2026 campaign well below average.

However, everything in life needs to be contextualized. The Guardians were a lousy offensive team in the first half, when Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo, and many other regulars were struggling at the plate. Things, however, improved after the trade deadline, as Guardians Prospective explains.

“Cleveland Guardians American League offensive rankings after & prior to when Jo Adell and Nathaniel Lowe played their first game on 8/4/26. After trade: 1) wRC+, 2) OPS, 2) fWAR, 2) OBP, 3) Runs, 3) AVG; Prior to trade: 14) wRC+, 15) OPS, 11) fWAR, 12) OBP, 14) Runs, 14) AVG,” Guardians Prospective posted.

Cleveland #Guardians American League offensive rankings after & prior to when Jo Adell and Nathaniel Lowe played their first game on 8/4/26.

After trade:

1) wRC+
2) OPS
2) fWAR
2) OBP
3) Runs
3) AVG

Prior to trade:

14) wRC+
15) OPS
11) fWAR
12) OBP
14) Runs
14) AVG

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 27, 2026

This data certainly hits different. The Guardians among the American League leaders in multiple offensive categories over a significant period? That’s certainly hard to believe, but it’s actually true.

While Adell, who has a 107 wRC+ with seven homers and 32 RBI in 48 games as a Guardian, and Lowe, owner of 27 RBI in 43 games in Cleveland, have certainly made an impact (especially the former), the revival of the Guardians’ offense goes beyond them. Kwan found his stride and regained his spot at the top of the lineup, terrifying pitchers with his elite combination of bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. Ramirez is also starting to turn things around even though he finished the regular season with a below-average wRC+, and other young players such as Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana, Angel Genao, and Brayan Rocchio have contributed, too.

If Ramirez can recapture the form that made him a perennial All-Star in the late-2010s and the early-2020s, the Guardians will be very hard to stop. Even if he doesn’t, there’s enough offensive talent to back a very strong pitching staff and help the team make a deep run.