Three players the Guardians could make a swing for at the trade deadline

It seems like the season for the Cleveland Guardians to go all in. They're sitting near the top of the AL Central, have one of the toughest pitching staffs in the game, and have two of the most exciting rookies in the AL in their lineup. 

Not to mention, Jose Ramirez is still on this team.

Yet, it's the arrival of those aforementioned rookies, Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana, that has fans curious about what this team could realistically do at the trade deadline this year. After all, why not optimize the talent you have on your roster while they're affordable? 

Now, many people are talking about the Guardians landing former Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and former MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. Both names would be great for the Guardians, but they both come with huge obstacles. 

For Skubal, the return would be massive and would require numerous top prospects, all for a guy whose contract is expiring. For Trout, he may be easier to get, but you'd need the Angels to eat at least half of the contract. A proposal that doesn't seem likely to happen.

So, if not them, then who? 

OF JJ Bleday (Cincinnati Reds)

There may be no better player that fits what the Guardians are looking for than JJ Bleday. He's got solid power to add to the outfield, he's affordable ($1.4 million this year), and he's got two more years of team control after 2026. The 29-year-old may not be flashy or a big name, but with the Reds falling out of playoff contention fast, Bleday could be the perfect name for the Guardians to add to their outfield to help bolster the lineup. 

SP Sonny Gray (Red Sox)

Sure, a 36-year-old starting pitcher who isn't a flamethrower may not be the most attractive option. Yet, Sonny Gray is having a heck of a year for the Red Sox. He's got a 3.20 ERA, and while he's only averaging four strikeouts per start, he's also only averaging 1.45 walks per game as well. He's got good control of his pitches, and that's better than a lot of starters these days. While the Guardians' starting pitching is top-notch, you can never have enough good starting pitchers. Gray would only further bolster a strong rotation. 

1B Christian Walker (Houston Astros)

The Astros' first basemen would be a huge upgrade at DH for the Guards. Rhys Hoskins is still hitting below .200, almost midway through June, and that's not a strong sign of things to come. The Guardians need more power in their lineup, and getting a better DH in the process is just a bonus. Walker can fill that role as he already has five seasons of 25 home runs or more across his career. He's currently sitting at 16 for 2026. Hoskins has six. Now, some fans have expressed a desire to see the Guardians land Walker's teammate, Yordan Alvarez, in a trade. That move would likely cost the Guardians too much compared to Walker. Alvarez is a more consistent hitter, with more power, more controllable years, and younger. Walker is likely the more realistic option.