Glenn Kaplan
The Cleveland Guardians have a 40-35 record in the MLB this season. Cleveland just completed a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. They are tied for first place in the American League Central with the Chicago White Sox. The Guardians will continue its road trip this weekend on the road against the Houston Astros. Cleveland will then face Chicago on the road next week.
The Guardians have been dealing with injuries over the last week. Chase DeLauter and Jose Ramirez are currently on the injured list. It is going to be interesting to see how long they will both be out of the lineup for. There is no doubt that Cleveland is going to have to make a trade for a bat at some point if they want to take this season seriously.
Jim Bowden of the Athletic thinks the Cleveland Guardians need to make a trade
Jim Bowden of the Athletic wrote about one thing that each MLB team needs as the 2026 MLB trade deadline approaches. With the Guardians not having Ramirez in the lineup, it is not a secret that this time needs another bat in the lineup. Bowden said, “Need: Power bat
The Guardians ideally need another impact power bat with first base or designated hitter the most logical spots. If the Astros decide to trade first baseman Christian Walker, Cleveland would be the perfect fit in a deal.”
There is no doubt that the Houston Astros are going to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline this season. Christian Walker this season has a .246 batting average with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs, along with zero stolen bases. His on-base percentage is .315. This would be a good move for the Guardians because Walker is a right-handed power bat in the lineup. It would no doubt help the Guardians even when Ramirez returns from his injury.
Other Potential Options
There will be some other players on the trade block. Cleveland could potentially look at maybe two San Francisco Giants players: third baseman Matt Chapman and second baseman Luis Arraez. Arraez this season with San Francisco has a .326 batting average with three home runs and 30 RBIs, along with six stolen bases. His on-base percentage is .360.
As for Chapman, he has a .252 batting average with seven home runs and 41 RBIs, along with zero stolen bases. His on-base percentage is .337. Those would be two players that could potentially help out the Guardians in a potential World Series run. Why wouldn’t Cleveland try to trade for both players if they can’t get someone like Walker from the Astros? The Giants are going to be major sellers at the MLB trade deadline.
One player that could be under consideration is designated hitter Casey Schmitt. He is under arbitration for the next couple of years with San Francisco. Schmitt has a .283 batting average with 15 home runs and 38 RBIs, along with seven stolen bases. His on-base percentage is .313. If the Giants are going to give him up, the Guardians are going to have to give up a lot of prospects. If Cleveland wants to make a run at the World Series, they should ask San Francisco is Schmitt is also on the market before deciding to maybe trade for Chapman or Arraez.
