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The Tampa Bay Rays series will determine if the Cleveland Guardians are buyers or sellers

By Chad Porto

Jul 25, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Matt Wisler (37) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Matt Wisler (37) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Guardians split the Red Sox series and are in a holding pattern.

The Cleveland Guardians are in a tough spot right now. They’re only a few games behind the AL Central title, but they’re also inconsistent right now. Are they good enough to win the AL Central? Sure, but are they good enough to win in the playoffs? That’s where the question lies. With the team needing some help and the trade deadline approaching, the team is in a weird holding pattern.

They’re too good to give up, and they’re too inconsistent to go all in. So what do you do? Unless the team has a drastic turnaround in the second half and goes on a crazy win streak, there’s just not a lot of confidence in this squad winning in the postseason. It’s always possible, sure. Some guys come alive in the second half.

It’s just something a lot of people don’t think will happen. This team will finish just shy of 90 wins at this rate, and they may not be good enough to compete in the postseason. So what should the team do?

Well, we’ll have a better idea after the Tampa Bay Rays series.

The Tampa Bay Ray series will determine what the Cleveland Guardians do at the deadline

There are three options the Guardians have right now as it pertains to the trade deadline. They could become sellers, trade-off guys like Aaron Civale, Franmil Reye, and Bryan Shaw. They could be buyers, and look to improve the lineup, bullpen, and or the starting rotation at the cost of minor leaguers.

Or they could do the sensible thing and stand pat. Abstain from making any trades and instead let the season play out as you develop your core.

All three options have merit and all three have issues. Which one the team ends up going with will simply come down to this last pre-trade deadline series.

If the Guardians can take care of the Rays by winning (or sweeping) the series, the Guardians will be 13-7 or 12-8 over their last 20 games.

That’s a good enough clip to warrant a minor investment or two. If they stumble, however, and go into the Arizona series at 11-9 then the team should stand pat. If they end up going 10-10, selling off a piece or two may make sense.

Next. 3 Cleveland Guardians that make the most sense to trade. dark

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