The Cleveland Guardians have several talented, up-and-coming position players, but that doesn’t mean their offense is good. It’s quite flawed, actually, despite the fact that the unit boasts excellent potential.
Chase DeLauter has put it all together, and Travis Bazzana is a star, but despite making strides recently, Steven Kwan has had a disappointing season, and the same can be said about other streaky sluggers such as Gabriel Arias or Kyle Manzardo.
Angel Martinez and Jose Ramirez are due back after the All-Star break, but even if they manage to return to top form, the offense needs help. The outfield, specifically, is a clear area of need ahead of the deadline.
Analyst Adam Gerstenhaber mentioned two names that could potentially interest the Guardians and would take their offense to the next level together with Ramirez and Martinez when they return, and the two star rookies.
“You look at Garrett Mitchell, who’s having a really good season. The Brewers, unlike the Guardians, are loaded with offensive talent. They just called up one of their better prospects, Luis Lara, who’s another outfielder. I don’t know if the Brewers will trade Garrett Mitchell, but the Brewers might trade him in the right deal. Mickey Moniak, at one point, was a first-round pick of the Phillies. He’s gone to Colorado, and he’s put it all together. Would they trade him? I don’t know, but you see the year he’s having. Big-time power in the outfield, which the Guardians need,” Gerstenhaber said.
The #Guardians are right in the mix. 👀⚾
Garrett Mitchell and Mickey Moniak are two of TWELVE trade targets on @adamthebull's wish list. 🔥https://t.co/E8jQrInPet pic.twitter.com/Kk5LNloZOa
— Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show (@ultCLEsports) July 10, 2026
Mitchell is enjoying a rock-solid campaign with the Brewers, slashing a cool .274/.364/.459 with eight home runs, six stolen bases, and a 128 wRC+. He has already tied a career-high 1.9 fWAR.
He hits left-handed, which is not ideal for the Guardians, but they will definitely take an outfielder capable of posting a 128 wRC+. They need offense, and they need it now.
As for Moniak, he has hit 15 home runs and boasts a 133 wRC+ with the Rockies, after belting 24 long balls last year. He is a late bloomer, having failed to break out until his age-27 campaign in 2025, but he has finally put it all together and could be a nice addition to the Guardians’ lineup. He is also a left-handed slugger: not the perfect fit, but quite helpful.
While bringing in either of those outfielders would imply a high cost in prospects, neither should command a top organizational guy. It’s time for the Guardians to step up and acquire some difference-makers ahead of the deadline.
NEXT: Young Guardians Slugger Is Going Through A Tough Slump
