Should the Cleveland Guardians go after these 5 players?

The Cleveland Guardians could be buyers or sellers at the deadline this year.

The good folks at WKYC Channel 3 posted an article on their website about the five players the Cleveland Guardians should go after this year at the major league trade deadline. Now, before we even get to the players the team should go after, we need to ask a simple question; are the Guardians even buyers at the deadline?

Heading into Tuesday, they’ve lost three straight and with the deadline on Aug. 2, there’s not a lot of time to properly evaluate the team’s real potential between now and the. They’ve been super streaky all year and that continues into the end of July.

Right now, I believe the Guardians are soft sellers. They shouldn’t wholesale their best players, but they can flip a few lesser players for something, while still staying competitive and within reach of the AL Central. Now, if they can turn a guy like Franmil Reys and Bryan Shaw into someone on this list, go for it, otherwise, it’s best to not dump assets.

That said, if between now and the second of August, the team goes on a run, maybe my opinions change. So with that, who’s on this list, and do any of these players make sense?

Should the Cleveland Guardians go after these five players?

0F Juan Soto

Right now, and without going too-too deep into it, as that requires a more dedicated article, no. He’s a two-year rental at best, and he’s not even playing well.

C Willson Contreras

This move makes sense but it also doesn’t. Wilson Contreras plays a position of need for the Guardians. He’s a current All-Star and having a good year. Yet, he’s also 30, at a position that ages fast and hard, and while he’s currently at an affordable rate, he’s in the last year of his contract and there’s no guarantee he’ll re-sign. So, yes, but only for the barest of returns possible.

OF Ian Happ

The Cleveland Guardians shouldn’t be looking for outfielders with no real home run power. Yes, he hit 25 home runs once in his career, but he’s only got nine currently and he averages 16 per year. Yes, some of those years were cut short due to the pandemic or injuries, but the fact is, he rarely hits more than 20 in a season. For one reason or another. He’s not better than most of our current players, and he’s on an expiring contract. Pass.  Every trade should either be for a young guy on a long-ish contract, or for a top player at his position by stats, not by opinion.

RP David Bednar

Yes. He’s only 27, he’s team controlled another four seasons and he’s had back-to-back seasons of sub 3.00 ERA. Don’t break the bank for him, but yes, David Bednar works for what the Guardians are looking to do.

SP Luis Castillo

The Cleveland Guardians can’t afford to trade major prospects for a guy who may be traded again in one year’s time. That’s not prudent or responsible. Luis Castillo is a good player, but he’s heading into the last year of his deal, he’s gonna demand a sizeable figure to re-sign and we just don’t know he’s worth that, as he’s only had one truly great year (2022) to his name.