The Cleveland Guardians traded away two big names, but that’s not necessarily bad for this season.
Paul Sewald is no longer a star, and he’s currently out with an injury.
As for Shane Bieber, he was likely to decline his player option and become a free agent, and he hasn’t played this season.
That’s why, as pointed out by Guardians Prospective, this team hasn’t waved the white flag just yet:
“Its not a fire sale or raising a white flag. They are currently still the same team who went 14-6 in July averaging 5.6 runs per game with the starters pitching really well,” they wrote. “Both moves today were prudent baseball moves.”
Reminder #Guardians are still only 2.5 games out of a wild card spot.
Both players today had contributed zero basically to the team up to this point this season.
Its not a fire sale or raising a white flag. They are currently still the same team who went 14-6 in July averaging…
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) July 31, 2025
The Detroit Tigers absorbed Sewald’s contract, and he will most likely be out through September with a moderate shoulder strain.
Bieber will make his season debut soon, but he will be on a strict pitch count for a while.
Of course, he would’ve been a big boost to the rotation in the playoffs, but the Guardians would’ve still lost him for a compensatory pick in the winter.
Instead, they landed one of the best prospects in the Toronto Blue Jays’ farm system.
This team will have one of the most forgiving schedules for the remainder of the season, and the field is always leveled come playoff time.
The Guardians are playing their best baseball of the season, and now that they’ve opened up a couple of roster spots on the 40-man roster, perhaps they will finally call up C.J. Kayfus or any of the promising prospects who look ready to make a splash in the majors.
So long as the Guardians keep Steven Kwan, they can still make a postseason run.
If he leaves, it could all change for now and for years to come.
NEXT: Insider Says Guardians Are Likely To Trade Steven Kwan
