The 2026 trade deadline is still months away, but the conversation around Cleveland’s roster is already happening.
Bleacher Report analyst Kerry Miller recently went through every MLB team and identified the player most likely to be moved before the deadline, and for the Cleveland Guardians, the name he landed on was first baseman and designated hitter Rhys Hoskins.
“Cleveland Guardians: 1B/DH Rhys Hoskins. The Guardians were able to get Hoskins on the cheap after back-to-back underwhelming seasons in Milwaukee. He hasn’t been any better, and CJ Kayfus should be back to fill that backup 1B/DH role by early August. Moving Hoskins would only save Cleveland around $500K, but the Guardians will probably still look to do it,” Miller wrote.
Through 82 at-bats in 2026, Hoskins is hitting .207 with a .743 OPS and just three home runs. For a player who was brought in specifically to provide power and middle-of-the-order production, those results have not matched what Cleveland was hoping to see. His last five games tell a similar story, with just one hit in his most recent outing against Kansas City and minimal impact at the plate over that stretch.
The Hoskins signing always carried an element of risk attached to it. He missed all of 2023 recovering from a torn ACL suffered in spring training with Philadelphia, then put together back-to-back seasons in Milwaukee that left a lot to be desired. Cleveland took a chance on the talent they knew he had shown earlier in his career, signing him on a short-term deal with the hope that a change of scenery and a fresh start could unlock something.
Moving Hoskins would only clear around $500,000 off the books, which is not a needle mover for any front office. This would be about creating opportunity for a younger player rather than financial flexibility.
It is worth noting that Hoskins has a career .818 OPS across 3,237 at-bats with 189 home runs. The historical production is there, and there are contending teams around the league who would see value in a veteran presence with that kind of track record, even in a down year. A deadline deal could benefit both sides if the right offer comes along.
For now, Hoskins remains part of the Cleveland roster and still has time to turn things around before any deadline decisions become necessary. But if the at-bats continue to look the way they have, the Guardians may find themselves moving on before August arrives.
Cleveland will do what is best for this team. They always do.
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