The Cleveland Guardians will look to improve the roster ahead of the MLB trade deadline, but that doesn't guarantee a deal will get done.
The Cleveland Guardians are still in the thick of the American League Wild Card race and in striking distance of the Chicago White Sox for the top of the division.
There's still a path for the Guardians to return to the playoffs for the third consecutive season, but Cleveland needs to make some moves to secure a postseason spot.
With the MLB trade deadline just over a week away, President of Baseball Operations Chris Anonetti admitted, "I think we’ll look at all opportunities to try to improve the team."
Not only did Antonetti say the Guardians will explore opportunities to improve and will be assertive in those conversations, but he isn't promising that means the team will be able to actually pull off a deal.
"We’ll be aggressive in trying to find ways to improve," continued the executive.
"Now, whether that means we’ll ultimately be able to get to the finish line on a deal or multiple deals, I have no idea. It’s impossible to predict, but we’ll certainly try.”
Nov 10, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, right, talks to the media as president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti laughs during an introductory press conference at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY SportsIf Cleveland is going add at the deadline it's clear where they should buy: more offense.
Scoring runs has been an issue for the Guardians all year long. Even with Jose Ramirez healthy and back in the lineup, Cleveland went 0-for-17 with just three hits in their "frustrating" extra-innings loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon.
Even though it's obvious the Guardians need to upgrade the big-league lineup, that doesn't mean the team will definitely make a move ahead of the deadline. Cleveland's front office is known for working on the margins and not making any impulsive moves, but this year might be different
Antonetti pointed out that the team already made a substantial trade early in the season by acquiring catcher Patrick Bailey from the San Francisco Giants, and that move has worked out well for the team so far.
“Obviously, we made one significant trade in our mind already, and we’ve seen the dividends of that with the impact that (catcher Patrick Bailey has) had," Antonetti said.
This trade was also notable considering it signaled the end of Bo Naylor's time with the Guardians.
There are many directions the Guardians could go to improve the big-league roster, and Cleveland has the prospect capital to do just that.
Evidently, the front office will be active in exploring those opportunities, but time will tell if a deal actually gets done.
