A ten-game losing streak in late June and early July seemed to close the door on Guardians' chances, but the club then won six of its last seven games to regain some momentum heading into the All-Star break. Cleveland doesn't play a single opponent with a winning record between now and July 31, so it certainly seems possible that the Guards can bank some more wins and put themselves more firmly back into the Wild Card race. The Tigers' big lead in the AL Central likely makes that Cleveland's only path to the postseason, and 4.5 games and five other teams stand between the Guardians and the Mariners for the final AL card berth.
The Guardians are one of the more on-the-fence teams in baseball at the moment, and yet regardless of what happens between now and the July 31 deadline, the most probable scenario is that Cleveland will dip a toe in both the buying and selling directions. If the club is still treading water by the deadline, some additions could still be made, even if they're perhaps more aimed towards reloading for 2026 than a significant push to contend this year.
Record: 46-49 (10.6% playoff probability, per FanGraphs)
For other entries in this series, see this post.
Sell Mode + Potential Trade Chips
Impending free agents: Carlos Santana, Jakob Junis, Austin Hedges, Lane Thomas, Shane Bieber ($16MM player option for 2026, $4MM buyout), Paul Sewald ($10MM mutual option for 2026, $1MM buyout), John Means ($6MM club option for 2026)
Santana could be dealt whether or not the Guardians are contending, as the team would probably love to get the remainder of the veteran first baseman's $12MM salary off the books. Young Kyle Manzardo has played well enough that Cleveland might entrust him with everyday first base duties, and clearing the 1B/DH situation would also free up more at-bats for David Fry, who is a DH-only player in his first season back from offseason elbow surgery.
The catch here is that Fry hasn't been hitting at all since being activated from the 60-day injured list, and Santana's modest 98 wRC+ still makes him one of the more productive hitters in a weak lineup. Cleveland could look to play it both ways by dealing Santana, and then picking up a less-expensive, first base-capable player (probably a right-handed bat) to act as a complement to Manzardo. Prospect C.J. Kayfus is a left-handed hitter but he could also be called up to help out at first base, as Kayfus has been shredding both Double-A and Triple-A pitching this year.
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Bieber or Means would be acquisitions for 2026 more than being expected to contribute this season. I could see teams having interest in Santana and Junis but i wonder if they would consider trading Kwan or Bibee if the offers were good
Bieber has a player option. The only way he stays is if he’s injured.
He hasn’t pitched at all so far in 2025. He needs to both prove hes healthy and perform and if he doesnt do those things he probably will exercise his player option.
Bieber just pitched a rehab game and looked really good, just like he did in his first attempted game back in May. He’ll be back in the next two weeks.
No way on Bibee! He is the staff “ace”
Except for Santana you’d be lucky to get a bucket of balls for the rest of the list. Beiber is just off major surgery and Means isn’t available until September if at all. If they are truly in sell mode and want to receive any value at all they have to look at dealing Clase and Kwan
But why would Santana bring much back? Expensive contract, mediocre performance, and 39 years old. Limited to IB and DH. Maybe a contender with a sudden need, but…
Agree wouldn’t bring much but more than the rest of the members of this list who’d get you zero
How is a player limited when he can DH or play a position? Carlos is a gold glove 1st baseman. And his $12mil contract is very affordable, since the season is nearly 60% over. Teams would owe less than $5mil for the remainder of the season.
I’m ok with trading Clase. Obviously it needs to be the right offer. How about getting some bats Antonetti??
Phillies/aggressive DD landing either Clase or Bautista would not be a surprise. If Cle can squeeze them for near ready OF Crawford as headliner, that would be interesting. Zero reason to settle. The O’s will squeeze for young pitching, so it’s a matter of what Phillies think they can more afford to sacrifice.
Ramirez and Kwan have produced 6.4 WAR this year. The offense as a whole has produced 4.4 WAR. So the rest of the position players have produced negative 2 WAR. Thats not good.
Which is why they have an anemic offense
How about a big trade with the Mets (Ramirez & Clase for Vientos, Acuna, Gilbert, Sproat and Hamel
Ramirez has a full no-trade clause and took a very team friendly deal to stay with the Guardians. He’s almost assuredly not going anywhere. And even if he did agree to be traded, the Mets would have to put together a better package than that to get both him and Clase.
Why would you want Mets AAAA junk and faILed prospects for a future HOFer and a top closer?
–Oh, must be a typical “take our junk for your stars” Mets fan proposal … we get it.
I wonder if Kwan will get traded as historically Cleveland had moved players who are starting to get expensive? I saw a floated trade proposal for Seattle’s prospects SS Celesten, 1B Locklear, SP Izzi, and OF Tai Peete.
Cleveland easily says no. They have no need for Locklear and the rest are too far away to convince the Guards. Any trade will provide help for the MLB team and for the future. Cleveland will also need outfield help as that is their biggest weakness.
Dream on dude !