Guardians not expected to move on from struggling vets at trade deadline

The Cleveland Guardians had a few interesting trade chips, but with Emmanuel Clase going under investigation from MLB, both he and Cade Smith are likely off the trade market. Steven Kwan likely isn't being dealt, and Carlos Santana doesn't have much value.

Meanwhile, the Guardians have two players who are veterans, who normally might fetch a decent return at the deadline. But, between their struggles this season and their injuries, neither is expected to be dealt, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic.

"Lane Thomas, another impending free agent, would have been a trade candidate, but his foot has not cooperated." Meisel writes. "... Paul Seawald, who has a $10 million club option for next year that almost certainly will not be exercised, is on the shelf with a strain in the back of his shoulder. He said himself that it probably eliminates him from trade consideration."

Both Lane Thomas and Paul Seawald previously had trade value in their careers, with Thomas being dealt to the Guardians from the Washington Nationals in 2024, while Seawald was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023.

However, neither has retained that value, especially with their injuries and struggles this season. Seawald has a 4.70 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 18 games pitched this season. He's allowed a 1.17 WHIP and has two saves and two blown saves on the year.

MORE: Guardians make trade deadline decision on 2.33 ERA reliever

Thomas, meanwhile, in his 39 games this season and across 125 at-bats, has a .160 batting average. Only Jhonkensy Noel, who hit .140 in 107 at-bats, has a worse batting average than Thomas this season among Guardians hitters with 100 at-bats.

His .518 OPS is also among the lowest on the team, and with Thomas nursing his foot issue, the Guardians outfielder isn't likely to be dealt.

Neither Thomas nor Seawald is likely to draw trade interest at the deadline this season. With both expected to be free agents at the end of the year, the Guardians are better off hoping they can return at the later stages of the season.

The trade deadline isn't looking great for the Guardians, following the Clase news, Santana's sinking value, and the unlikelihood of a Kwan trade. The statuses of Seawald and Thomas also don't help, with neither likely to be dealt by the deadline.

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