The Cleveland Guardians must find a way to improve their lineup, and the trade deadline is their best chance at doing so.
August 3 is quickly approaching, and with that comes MLB's highly anticipated trade deadline.
Despite injuries to some of the Cleveland Guardians' top players, they're still firmly in the race to not only get back to the playoffs but also win the American League Central.
This Guardians' roster will still need a little more help as assembled, though. Cleveland's margin for error is thin, as seen by the 59 games it's played that were decided by two or fewer runs.
It's a narrative that feels like it emerges every year, but with the trade deal on the horizon, Cleveland's biggest need is adding another proven big league bat to the lineup, maybe even two.
The easiest way to explain how badly Cleveland needs to improve its offense is to look at its stats compared to the rest of MLB.
- .678 OPS - 30th
- 392 Runs Scored - 30th
- 94 Home Runs - 27th
- 92 wRC+ - 23rd
Even if the Guardians do make the playoffs with their current roster, the lineup would make it extremely difficult to make a deep October run.
Apr 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) is greeted at the dugout by manager Stephen Vogt (12) after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesYes, Ramirez's return from the injured list is becoming imminent, but one player can't help turn the entire lineup around. Plus, Cleveland's star was having an up-and-down season before landing on the IL, with a .757 OPS.
If you want to get picky, the Guardians could really use another right-handed stick to balance out the lineup.
Including switch-hitters, Cleveland only has five right-handed options on the big-league roster: Austin Hedges, David Fry, Gabriel Arias, Patrick Bailey, and Rhys Hoskins.
There's also a precedent for players who undergo hamate surgery to take some time to regain some of their power. The Guardians can't solely rely on Ramirez's return to fix the offense as a whole.
There should be some bats with real potential to help improve Cleveland's lineup on the trade market.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward would be a perfect fit for the Guardians and is on an expiring contract. Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jorge Solar is another good option to add some pop in the middle of the order. The defensive fit might be awkward, but Houston Astros infielder Isaac Peredes would be an upgrade, too.
Of course, to get something of value, Cleveland must give up something of value. That said, the Guardians have some prospect capital to make a significant trade.
Giving up some of the young Minor Leaguers to add a bat to this lineup would give Cleveland the best chance of making it back to the playoffs and deep into October in 2026
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