If the trade deadline had stretched even later, the Cleveland Guardians probably would have had one wish at the top of the list: another bat with real pop.
That’s the takeaway from Bleacher Report analyst Kerry Miller, who pointed to Cleveland’s clear need for a power hitter. His explanation was blunt.
“Any bat with some pop,” Miller wrote. “The Guardians have seven players who have hit at least a dozen home runs this season, but none of them have more than 15.
Any bat would be nice, regardless of position. The Guardians have mostly been using their DH spot as a way to keep key players in the lineup while giving them a day off from playing the field, so they could plug and play just about anyone capable of homering on occasion.”
That kind of addition has been the theme for Cleveland all season. The Guardians did make one move, bringing in outfielder Jo Adell at this year’s Aug. 3 deadline, and he has chipped in six home runs in 42 games since joining the team.
Even with that help, the power shortage has remained obvious. Cleveland entered the final week of the season ranked 27th in the majors in home runs, yet the postseason is still within reach. The Guardians hold a one-game edge over the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central with six games left, and they’d be four games up for the final AL Wild Card spot, which all but locks in a third straight playoff appearance.
There’s also a little more nuance to the home run picture than the raw ranking suggests. Led by Angel Martinez’s 17 homers, the Guardians have actually hit more home runs this season than the Milwaukee Brewers, who own the best record in baseball. And the source also pointed to the Kansas City Royals’ 2014 run to the World Series, when no player on that team finished with more than 15 home runs.
Cleveland might have addressed the issue from within, too, but the organization passed on promoting prospect Ralphy Velazquez when rosters expanded this month. Velazquez has blasted 29 home runs in the minors this season, including 15 in August alone, though the club kept him down while considering the impact of a possible labor stoppage next season.
For now, the Guardians will keep rolling with what they have, and that group has already been good enough to set up another September surge and a possible division title.
In Other News...
Guardians Could Have A Few Surprise Arms Waiting For October
The Guardians have opened a stay hot camp at Triple-A Columbus for players on the 40-man roster who are not on the major league club, giving them a place to keep sharp as October approaches. The group also includes a few other minor leaguers, with the idea being straightforward enough: stay ready, stay available, and be prepared in case Cleveland needs to make a postseason move.
Several of the names in camp are pitchers, along with some hitters, and a few are still working back from injuries. With the postseason roster still a moving target, the biggest area of flexibility may end up coming on the mound, where the Guardians are weighing different ways to cover any late needs without disrupting what has already carried them this far. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Fans Now Know What This Clase Trial Really Hinges On
Federal prosecutors have now put a sharper frame on the case against Emmanuel Clase, identifying 18 specific pitches they say the Guardians closer allegedly threw intentionally to help bettors who had paid him bribes. The new court filing lands ahead of Clases November trial and gives Cleveland fans a clearer sense of how the government plans to present its case, with former teammate Luis Ortiz also charged in the same alleged scheme.
Both players have pleaded not guilty and remain suspended by Major League Baseball as the legal process moves forward. The case centers on accusations of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering tied to a betting operation that reportedly netted more than $460,000, and the latest filing suggests the trial may turn on those pitch-by-pitch allegations rather than the broader outlines of the scheme alone. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Be Sending Tanner Bibee A Tough October Message
Tanner Bibee looked like a foundational piece for Cleveland when he signed a five-year extension in March 2025, coming off two strong seasons that had established him as one of the organizations most important young arms. Since then, his year has been far more uneven, with his ERA climbing and an American League-leading loss total underscoring how difficult things have been at times.
Now the Guardians are reshuffling their postseason rotation, and Bibee may be staring at a very different October assignment than the one he expected when the year began. A move into the bullpen would not erase the promise that made Cleveland commit to him, but it would be a clear sign that the club is prioritizing roles and matchups over status as the games get bigger. [Read more 🡒]