Leading the AL Central, the Guardians look to be buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline.
One of the biggest surprise teams of the first half of the 2024 MLB season is the Cleveland Guardians. They currently hold the third-best record in the league at 56-32 and lead the American League Central by six games over the Minnesota Twins.
The Guardians have dominated the Central this season and maintained their lead for 82 days, never posting a month with a losing record. This success contributed to them having the most All-Stars since 2018, with six players: third baseman José RamÃrez, outfielder Steven Kwan, closer Emmanuel Clase, first baseman Josh Naylor, and utility man David Fry.
This year, the Guardians are in a much better position compared to last season when they finished third in the Central and were a game under .500 at the trade deadline. They’re now looking to be buyers to boost their postseason chances, already making moves like trading with the San Francisco Giants for Spencer Howard.
To make impactful trades, potential trade partners will likely target some of the Guardians’ top prospects. Here’s a look at Cleveland’s best prospects who could be traded to strengthen their postseason bid:
**Guardians’ Top Prospects Available for Trade**
**Chase DeLauter, OF**
The Guardians’ top prospect, outfielder Chase DeLauter, was drafted in 2022 with their first-round pick. DeLauter advanced from rookie ball to Double-A last season, hitting .364 in just six games. This season, in 17 games, he’s slashing .194/.301/.290 with one homer and three RBIs, limited by a toe sprain. He is expected to return soon.
**Kyle Manzardo, 1B**
First baseman Kyle Manzardo, a 23-year-old top-30 MLB prospect, has already had some major league experience this season. In 30 games, he has a .207 average with 17 hits, 10 doubles, and seven RBIs in 82 at-bats. His Triple-A numbers are more impressive: in 43 games, he’s slashing .295/.394/.622 with a 1.016 OPS, 13 homers, and 31 RBIs. Although he’s a below-average defender, his hitting makes him a valuable trade target.
**Daniel Espino, RHP**
Right-handed pitcher Daniel Espino, the Guardians’ top pitching prospect and No. 100 in the league, is likely to come up in trade talks. Drafted in 2019 as their top pick, Espino has struggled with health issues, missing all of 2024 due to a second shoulder surgery and previous knee and shoulder problems. Despite his injuries, his 95-98 mph fastball and nasty slider make him a promising pitcher, though some teams might be cautious due to his injury history.
