2025 MLB Trade Deadline: 3 Players the Guardians Should Deal
SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball
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What Comes Next for Cleveland?
The Guardians are in a tough spot: not quite out of it, but clearly on the outside looking in. They have enough talent to stay competitive, but the depth and consistency just haven’t been there — and that 10-game skid might prove too costly to overcome.
As the trade deadline approaches, Cleveland could choose to retool with an eye toward 2026. Moving veterans like Santana, and possibly even Clase, would bring in assets while clearing payroll — a classic Guardians move.
It’s not where they expected to be when the season started, but it might be the most realistic path forward.
For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
A Season-Turning Skid Changed Everything
What a difference a few weeks can make. On June 25, the Cleveland Guardians were 40-38 — just a half-game out of a Wild Card spot and within striking distance of second place in the AL Central. The reigning division champs weren’t dominating, but they were hanging in.
Then came the unraveling.
After dropping the final game of their series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland was swept by the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers — a 10-game losing streak that pushed them to eight games under .500 and fourth in the division. It was a stretch that may have permanently altered their season’s trajectory.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
Carlos Santana – A Veteran Bat for Contenders
2025 Stats: .235 AVG, .696 OPS, 11 HR, 41 RBI
Carlos Santana is no longer an everyday slugger, but he remains a respected clubhouse presence with solid pop. As a bench option for a playoff-bound team, he could be a useful deadline pickup — especially in a league light on impact bats.
The Guardians won’t get a major return, but they could flip Santana for a low-level prospect or depth arm. His age and modest production limit the upside, but playoff teams always need steady veterans off the bench.
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Lane Thomas – Bounce-Back Candidate on the Market?
2025 Stats: Limited due to IL stint; poor performance when active
Lane Thomas’ name has been circulating in trade rumors since before the season, and with Cleveland’s playoff hopes fading, his departure feels increasingly likely. Injuries and inconsistency have tanked his 2025 production, but teams might take a chance on his past upside.
His trade value is limited, but with a fresh start and a healthy stretch, Thomas could still contribute as a fourth outfielder — and the Guardians might be ready to move on.
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Emmanuel Clase – The Blockbuster Possibility
2025 Stats: 20 Saves, 3.05 ERA
Emmanuel Clase remains one of the league’s most valuable closers — and one of Cleveland’s biggest trade chips. While he hasn’t been quite as dominant as last season, his velocity, strikeout ability, and closing experience still put him among the AL’s elite.
Clase’s contract is team-friendly through 2027, and that affordability would spark a bidding war if he hits the block. If the Guardians decide to fully pivot toward 2026, moving Clase could bring back a serious prospect haul — though it would also signal a full white-flag moment.
What Comes Next for Cleveland?
The Guardians are in a tough spot: not quite out of it, but clearly on the outside looking in. They have enough talent to stay competitive, but the depth and consistency just haven’t been there — and that 10-game skid might prove too costly to overcome.
As the trade deadline approaches, Cleveland could choose to retool with an eye toward 2026. Moving veterans like Santana, and possibly even Clase, would bring in assets while clearing payroll — a classic Guardians move.
It’s not where they expected to be when the season started, but it might be the most realistic path forward.
For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
A Season-Turning Skid Changed Everything
What a difference a few weeks can make. On June 25, the Cleveland Guardians were 40-38 — just a half-game out of a Wild Card spot and within striking distance of second place in the AL Central. The reigning division champs weren’t dominating, but they were hanging in.
Then came the unraveling.
After dropping the final game of their series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland was swept by the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers — a 10-game losing streak that pushed them to eight games under .500 and fourth in the division. It was a stretch that may have permanently altered their season’s trajectory.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
