The Cleveland Guardians are inching closer to the trade deadline with some questions.
They’re floating around .500, which doesn’t necessarily make them a contender.
Then again, they’re in the mix for an AL Wild Card, and anything can happen in the postseason.
That’s why they likely won’t give up any of their top-notch relievers.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Guardians are being seen as a “difficult trade partner,” and only a huge offer will make them reconsider that stance.
“The perception within the industry is that the Guardians and [Minnesota] Twins will not move one or more of their top relievers unless they win the deal. As The Athletic’s Andy McCullough writes, the Guardians can be such a difficult trade partner, some other front offices refer to them as ‘The Cleveland Grind Machine,'” Rosenthal wrote.
Multiple teams have reportedly kept tabs on Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith.
They are one of the best one-two punches out of the bullpen in the game, and given their contracts, there’s little incentive to part with either of them.
The Guardians also could be above .500 by the time the trade deadline hits.
The team will get two prime reinforcements in pitchers Shane Bieber and John Means, and they might be one move away from making another deep postseason run.
The fact that they continue to have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs despite their dreadful June speaks volumes about their resiliency.
The front office should look to give this core of players another opportunity before making any drastic decisions about trading away some of its stars.
They’re peaking at the right time, as this is when you want to play your best baseball of the season.
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