The Cleveland Guardians have multiple alternatives to deploy at first base, ranging from the young sluggers like Kyle Manzardo and CJ Kayfus, to veteran options such as Rhys Hoskins. This situation has created a logjam.
The Guardians’ depth at the position has resulted in Kayfus being pushed to the outfield corners, and in Hoskins not playing every day. To further complicate things, the organization has more impactful talent on the way.
Ralphy Velazquez, the Guardians’ first-round pick in 2023, was hitting .444 with a .583 OBP and a .778 slugging percentage in his first three Double-A games through Sunday. If he keeps mashing in Akron, which he already did last year to the tune of a 188 wRC+ in 28 games there, he should be in Triple-A soon.
And once a top prospect reaches Triple-A, the majors could be around the corner with every hot streak there. Velazquez, however, is a bit blocked at the moment even if he remains a player to watch closely.
Analyst Jack O’Rourke suggested that, depending on whether the team decides to buy or sell, one of Velazquez or Manzardo could be shipped in a trade before the deadline.
“I think one of those guys is not in Cleveland come deadline day,” he said on The Daily Guards.
Will the Guardians trade either Ralphy Velazquez (buying) or Kyle Manzardo (selling) this season to clear the logjam at 1B? #GuardsBall
"I think one of those two guys is not in Cleveland come deadline day."
– @JackORourke94 pic.twitter.com/B5lmUNSiNR
— The Daily Guards (@DailyGuards) April 6, 2026
It will all depend on how aggressive Cleveland is when buying or selling, but we are sure they won’t trade Manzardo or Velazquez easily. They have been patient with both of them in their development and it will take the right proposal and situation for president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti to move either.
Manzardo might be struggling badly at the moment, but he is just a few months removed from a 27-homer, 113-wRC+ season. That kind of player doesn’t grow on trees for Cleveland.
Velazquez is the more likely to be moved of the two in a win-now move, but it’s still not particularly likely. It’s also fair to assume that, before entertaining a Manzardo trade, the Guardians will just try Kayfus at the hot corner. They don’t have to flip Manzardo this year even if they fall out of contention.
If the chance to significantly improve an area of need on a deal that makes sense for Cleveland presents itself, Antonetti would surely consider it. Moving Manzardo, Velazquez, or even Kayfus this year seems unlikely, though, even if it could make sense to clear the logjam somewhat.
NEXT: Guardians Make Roster Move After Gabriel Arias' Injury
