The Cleveland Guardians are heading toward the trade deadline with a very clear offensive need, and it starts at first base.
Sitting 1.0 game behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central, Cleveland is expected to be active as the deadline approaches. The problem is obvious enough: the Guardians need more run production, and they need it fast. They have scored just 368 runs this season, which is the second-fewest in Major League Baseball, ahead of only the San Diego Padres.
That’s why the focus has sharpened on first base, where Rhys Hoskins has become the issue Cleveland may try to solve. Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Guardians’ wish list could include a right-handed-hitting first baseman.
"As the Guardians await the returns of third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielder Angel Martinez, a right-handed hitting first baseman could be on their wish list," Rosenthal and Sammon write.
Hoskins has not given Cleveland the kind of production it needs from that spot. The 33-year-old right-handed hitter owns a .692 OPS and a 95 OPS+, numbers that put him below league average this season. He has nine home runs and 31 RBIs, but his -0.3 bWAR and overall offensive output leave the Guardians with a clear opening to upgrade.
Kyle Manzardo could still play a role in how Cleveland handles the position, which means the team may only need a right-handed first baseman who can handle left-handed pitching. But the Guardians could also swing bigger if the right name is available.
One option mentioned is Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox, a player who would bring a more impactful bat. Other possible targets include Mark Vientos, Jorge Polanco, Spencer Steer, Vaughn Grissom, and Isaac Paredes.
With the August 3 trade deadline getting close, Cleveland does not have much time to settle on the right fit. Still, the path is pretty straightforward: if the Guardians are going to make a push in the division, upgrading the production they’re getting from Hoskins looks like one of the most important moves on the board.
In Other News...
Guardians Fans May Not Love Where Stuart Fairchild Just Resurfaced
Stuart Fairchilds stop in Cleveland was brief, and his next landing spot already looks a little more promising. After being designated for assignment by the Guardians and then electing free agency, the outfielder has resurfaced in the Mariners organization, where he wasted little time making an impression in the Arizona Complex League by homering in his first game.
For Guardians fans, the more frustrating part may be the timing. Fairchild never found much traction during his stint in Cleveland, but Seattles rash of outfield injuries could give him a clearer path upward if he keeps producing. It is the kind of roster turn that can make a short-lived move look a lot more consequential in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Trade Deadline Wish List Just Got A Lot More Real
The Guardians search for a lineup boost is starting to feel a lot less theoretical as the trade deadline approaches. Cleveland has been linked to outfield help, and the names surfacing fit the kind of swing the front office has been chasing - a player with real power and another who could bring longer-term value without forcing the club to empty the cupboard.
Mickey Moniak and Garrett Mitchell each offer something different, which is part of what makes the situation worth watching. Moniak brings the appeal of a bat that has flashed big slugging production and a contract situation that would make him more of a short-term add, while Mitchell would be a tougher pull from a contending Brewers club but comes with years of control attached. With the AL Central and Wild Card races both tightening, Clevelands deadline plan may come down to how aggressively it wants to push for help now versus protecting what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Be Running Out Of Time With Kody Huff
The Guardians have already leaned heavily on their player pipeline this season, bringing nine players to the majors before the All-Star break, and that kind of churn has only sharpened the focus on who might be next. Kody Huff has put himself into that conversation with a breakout offensive year, hitting .272/.384/.498 with 14 doubles and 11 home runs, while also showing he can handle more than one spot on the field.
Acquired from the Rockies in 2023, Huff has expanded beyond catcher and given Cleveland a look at him at first base and third base as well. That versatility matters for a club that has been willing to move prospects quickly when the roster calls for it, and it leaves the Guardians with a decision to make on how soon they want to test him at the highest level. [Read more 🡒]