Steven Kwan’s recent surge has given the Guardians something they badly need: a bat that’s waking up. The question now is whether that hot streak will come with any real stability in the lineup or the outfield. Based on Friday night against Arizona, the answer looks like no.
Kwan started in center field and hit ninth, not leadoff. Later in the game, he shifted from center to left. That kind of movement has been part of the Guardians’ approach, and it doesn’t appear they’re ready to lock him into one lane just yet.
The production, though, is undeniable. Kwan hit .390, going 30 for 77, in July and is batting .417, 20 for 48, since the All-Star break. He entered the break hitting .225, with 67 hits in 298 at-bats.
Elsewhere, the trade deadline remains a point of debate, especially for fans who wonder whether the Guardians should chase help now or build more carefully in the winter. The reality is that deadline deals are tough to pull off, but the right move can still change a contender. Andrew Miller and Coco Crisp were cited as examples from 2016.
Pete Alonso came up in that conversation too, with the note that he is hitting .253, with 104 hits in 413 at-bats, along with 23 homers, 69 RBI and an .818 OPS for the Orioles.
Manager Stephen Vogt’s lineups also drew attention, but the response was blunt: this is nothing new. Vogt has been adjusting his batting orders since taking over in 2024, and if anyone inside the clubhouse is puzzled, they have not been paying close enough attention.
Daniel Schneemann’s recent option to Triple-A Columbus on July 24 was another topic. The move came when Angel Martinez came off the injured list.
Schneemann had been praised for his defense around the diamond and his clutch hitting, but Kyle Manzardo’s role is different. Manzardo leads the Guardians in home runs and ranks third in RBI, while Schneemann is a utility player.
Both have had seasons they didn’t picture on Opening Day, but they are not being evaluated on the same terms.
The organization has also kept looking for offense at Triple-A. George Valera, CJ Kayfus, Juan Brito, Stuart Fairchild, Cooper Ingle and Kahlil Watson have all already gotten opportunities. More could follow after Monday’s trade deadline, depending on how the roster shakes out.
Jose Ramirez remains another concern. He is back in the lineup after surgery on his left hand to remove the broken hamate bone, but there is still skepticism about how close he is to full strength.
He was put right back in the lineup on July 22 instead of going on a rehab assignment, and the feeling here is simple: no one sits for five weeks and returns at peak form. Even so, Ramirez has flashed the kind of speed that can take over a game, and he is still trying to rediscover his power.
There was also optimism, however faint, around Ben Lively. He has already made two rehab appearances after Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on June 4, 2025. The first outing was rougher than the second, but the possibility of seeing him again this season - either in the rotation or the bullpen - is still on the table.
In Other News...
Guardians Trade Regret Just Got Even Harder To Ignore
The latest reminder of how the Alex Cobb deal has played out for Cleveland came from San Francisco, where the Giants promoted a young player who had quietly become part of the return in that trade. The move filled a need behind the plate after Jess Rodrguez landed on the injured list, but it also brought fresh attention to a swap that has not offered the Guardians much immediate benefit.
Cobb arrived in Cleveland with the expectation that he could help stabilize the rotation, yet injuries limited his availability and kept his impact modest. Meanwhile, the player the Giants just elevated has continued to build a strong minor league track record, which only sharpens the contrast between what San Francisco is getting from the deal and what Cleveland has been able to count on so far. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Paid A Real Price To Strengthen Their Rotation
The Guardians kept their most prized young talent intact, but they still had to pay up to shore up a rotation that already looks formidable. Their latest move brought in a left-handed pitcher with an All-Star nod and a 2.77 ERA before the deal, adding another experienced arm to a staff that has become one of the clubs real strengths.
To get it done, Cleveland sent four prospects to Washington, including pitchers Will Dion, Josh Hartle and Kendeglys Virguez, plus outfielder Nick Mitchell. It was the kind of prospect package that says the Guardians were serious about upgrading now, even if it stopped short of touching the top of the organizations farm system. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Finally Found The Right-Handed Bat This Lineup Needed
The Guardians spent the winter looking for a better fit on the right side of the plate, and they found one in Jo Adell. Cleveland brought in the right-handed hitting outfielder from the Angels in a move aimed squarely at adding some much-needed thump to a lineup that has wanted more home run power, especially against left-handed pitching.
For the Guardians, it also comes at a time when the roster has been built with an eye toward keeping options open beyond this season. Adell brings the kind of pop that can change the shape of a game, and the price tag speaks to Clevelands belief that this is the sort of swing worth making. Now the interesting part is how quickly the bat can translate into everyday value in a lineup that has been searching for exactly this kind of offense. [Read more 🡒]