Cleveland Guardians rumors: Team looking to deal Franmil Reyes
While it was just a short 10 days ago when the Cleveland Guardians were viewed by many in the media as buyers ahead of the MLB trade deadline, that may have never been true.
Despite hanging around the top of the AL Central, the Guardians look to be truly committed to finding about the youth within in their own system.
Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto wrote fans shouldn’t “…Look for the Guardians to make any big trades for veteran players” and that he’s heard Cleveland will “be looking to move Franmil Reyes.
Reyes, who knocked an opposite field homer in the series opening loss to Kansas City, has finally started to hit since coming off the Injured List
According to Pluto, the Guardians want him to play some outfield, but that just hasn’t transpired, and that’s on Reyes.
"“The Guardians have talked to the big man about getting into better shape to play the outfield, but that hasn’t transpired. At this stage of his career, the 27-year-old Reyes seems content to be a DH.”"
Some coming off the IL, Reyes is batting .255 (840 OPS with four homers and 10 RBIs in 15 games. For the season, Reyes is batting .212 (.633 OPS).
Cleveland Guardians looking to trade Franmil Reyes
Reyes is making $4.5 million this season. The slugger will enter his second year of arbitration next season. He can’t be a free agent until after the 2024 campaign.
The Guardians love versatility and with Reyes, there really is none. He’s logged a few innings in right field this season, but really it’s been out of desperation.
When healthy, they had to have liked what Oscar Gonzalez did for the lineup before he hit the IL, and now, Nolan Jones is being given a chance in right field.
I wonder if the Guards won’t look to add some help at first base, whether it’s before the deadline, or more likely, during the offseason. Remember, they made a play for the A’s Matt Olson and came up short.
I like Josh Naylor at first, but his surgically repaired leg is a concern. He’ll need time at DH. So will O-Gon if Jones makes good on his prospect status.
As for Reyes, the Guardians seem to be swinging the pendulum back on baseball by encouraging good at bats that draw contact. That’s not Reyes’ game. He’s swinging for the fences every time.
Cleveland is not not a team that will rely on home runs. The Guardians have only hit 63 bombs. Only Oakland and Detroit are worse.
Next. 3 trade targets from Royals Guards should be watching. dark
With the deadline set at Aug. 1, the Guardians must be hoping Reyes finds a hot streak, because when he does, he’s lights out. He has a track record, hitting 27 homers in 2019 and 30 last season. Some team should view his power, along with his two years remaining of club control as an asset.