Guardians' plan for MLB trade deadline in a 'strange spot'

With the All-Star break behind the baseball world, there are two weeks left until the MLB trade deadline. Teams are looking to buy or sell, but for the Cleveland Guardians, they're not quite committed one way or another.

Zack Meisel of The Athletic outlined the Guardians' trade deadline plans, and in doing so, painted a picture of uncertainty and potential fluctuation.

"The Guardians could seek a taker for impending free agents such as Carlos Santana or Thomas." Meisel writes. "They could also seek upgrades in the outfield, middle infield, or bullpen. They're in a strange spot, where it might not make sense to push hard in either direction. There's a case to be made for buying and selling. There's a scenario in which they do neither. How they fare coming out of the break might factor into the equation."

Cleveland has a soft schedule coming out of the All-Star break, with series against the Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, and Colorado Rockies before the trade deadline.

The needs around baseball point towards the Guardians having plenty of interest in their players, yet, this easy schedule could lead the Guardians to buy at the deadline instead of selling.

However, there's also a path forward where the Guardians sell their trade pieces, like Carlos Santana and Lane Thomas, while also buying help elsewhere in the bullpen or in the outfield.

MORE: Guardians could trade injured Cy Young Award winner at MLB trade deadline

There are a few prospects who could make their debut in the next two seasons, and Cleveland, if they play their cards right, could retool and bolster the roster while buying and selling.

Last year, they moved Aaron Civale and landed Kyle Manzardo, who's been one of the better sluggers on the Guardians this season. Such a move was, at the time, not the favorite in the clubhouse, as it signified a sell-off. 

But it was the right move, as Manzardo looks to be a nice player, while Civale has been traded continually since the Guardians moved on from him last trade deadline.

While the Guardians are in a "strange spot" this trade deadline, a few potential moves should be clear. Keep Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase, while moving on from Thomas, Santana, and other players on expiring deals, while looking to acquire talent under contract for more than just 2025.

This trade deadline will be an interesting one for the Guardians. Meisel outlined the paths they could take, and each has their merits and demerits. But, for Cleveland, the rest of the month will dictate their decision-making, as a lot can change from now until the deadline.

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