Guardians most likely trade chip is 189-HR slugger that should upset fans if he's dealt

The Cleveland Guardians went through a major ordeal at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, with Steven Kwan strongly rumored to be on the move.

However, he didn't go anywhere, and he and the rest of the Guardians rewarded the front office with a miraculous postseason run.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report identified a new player who could be the team's most likely trade chip this summer, and it's 189-homer slugger and fan favorite Rhys Hoskins.

"He hasn't been any better, and CJ Kayfus should be back to fill that backup 1B/DH role by early August," Miller writes. "Moving Hoskins would only save $5000K, but the Guardians will probably still look to do it."

While Hoskins is only in the first year with the franchise, he's the kind of player that the Guardians should look to keep on the roster.

In a lineup full of question marks, Hoskins, the veteran slugger, is someone worth keeping. And if they do trade him, the fans should be upset about losing a key slugger that has power, much of the lineup doesn't bring.

Fans should be upset if Guardians trade Rhys Hoskins

Cleveland doesn't have the best offense outside of Jose Ramirez. Hoskins is a power-hitter who can provide some pop to a lineup that doesn't have the best players at their disposal.

Compared to other clubs that have plenty of money to spend on premier players, the Guardians need to go bargain bin hunting. And Hoskins has been a quality starter this year for the Guardias.

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This season, in 82 at-bats, Hoskins has three homers, a .207 batting average, and a .743 OPS, which would be fourth on the big-league roster for hitters with at least 50 at-bats.

He has the third-highest on-base percentage of the entire team, with only Chase DeLauter and David Fry (42 at-bats) ahead of him. Not only is Hoskins capable of hitting the long ball, as his 189-career homers indicate, but he gets on base, too.

Cleveland needs players like Hoskins who are cheap and can provide a spark to the lineup. His high-upside power is worth keeping on the roster, especially since they likely won't receive much in return for trading him this season anyway.

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