The Cleveland Guardians’ need for a bat has only grown louder, and Kyle Manzardo’s latest slide is a big reason why.
Before Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez went down, Cleveland already had a lineup problem. Now, with the MLB trade deadline of Aug. 3 approaching, that issue looks even more urgent.
Manzardo was supposed to help solve the club’s lack of middle-of-the-order power, especially after being viewed as a hitter who could build on the 27 home runs he hit in 2025. Instead, his season got off to a rough start almost immediately, with just two hits in his first 33 at-bats.
There was a stretch when it looked like he had steadied himself. He entered May with only one home run, then started to warm up as his batting average hovered around .240 and his OPS pushed above .730. Over a two-month span, he added nine home runs and seemed to be finding his footing.
That progress has evaporated again. Since June 18, Manzardo has had more strikeouts than times on base, a downturn that has put his struggles back in the spotlight.
“Kyle Manzardo, last three weeks: .148 AVG, .489 OPS, 41 wRC+, Hits + Walks: 17, Strikeouts: 22,” Always the Jake posted.
Kyle Manzardo, last three weeks:
.148 AVG
.489 OPS
41 wRC+
Hits + Walks: 17
Strikeouts: 22
- Always the Jake (@JacobsFieldRBW) July 10, 2026
The slump has only intensified the pressure on Cleveland to make a move before the deadline. Even if Ramirez and Martinez return sometime after the All-Star break, the Guardians may still need help to stay ahead of the surprising Chicago White Sox and the surging Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.
Cleveland is somehow still tied for first in the division, but the record tells a more fragile story. The Guardians are just two games over .500 heading into Friday, and since Ramirez, Martinez and Chase DeLauter were injured in the same game on June 13, the team is 9-13.
Manzardo was expected to help cover for the absence of three key hitters, but that burden may have been too much. On the season, he is hitting .216/.310/.367 with 95 strikeouts in 259 at-bats.
And with No. 1 prospect Ralphy Velazquez developing in the minors, Manzardo may be running out of time to convince the organization he belongs in the long-term picture, a decision that could come as soon as next month.
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 🡒]