• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

Should The Guardians Be Buyers Or Sellers Heading Into July?

By Spencer Richardson June 29, 2022

Richie Palacios #9 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

 

The Guardians predict to be a fun team this summer.

The club has shown lots of promise through June.

But at the same time, Cleveland struggled mightily in May, with a recent seven-game skid reminding fans of that pain.

That leaves Cleveland in a strange spot.

Every summer, the MLB splits into two camps: buyers and sellers.

The bottom tier of teams are usually sellers, ridding themselves of whatever talent they can that doesn’t fit their timeline to stockpile prospects.

Buyers, on the other hand, gobble up arms and bats to gear up for the team’s expectant playoff run.

Sellers generally stink; buyers are eying the World Series.

Where does that leave Cleveland, then?

 

Buy Now

The case for Cleveland is simple: this club is ahead of schedule and despite fielding a very young team, is ready to compete.

The Guardians are batting top-ten in the league (.249 team average) and José Ramirez is third in RBIs (63).

BOOK IT! 📕

The @CleGuardians win the first game of today's doubleheader!#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/js8xx0aRLG

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) June 28, 2022

On the mound, the club has posted a solid season as well, with closer Emmanuel Clase (17 saves) and reliever Eli Morgan (2.31 ERA) leading a strong bullpen.

And as recently as last week, Cleveland stood atop the AL Central, ahead of more experienced (and more expected) teams in the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins.

But as the team’s most recent run of games has shown, there are still several holes that could keep the Guardians from a deep postseason run.

So why not strike while the iron’s hot?

Two positions of note for Cleveland are starting pitcher and outfield.

Shane Bieber (3.07) is the only starting pitcher with an ERA below 3.50.

Triston McKenzie, the club’s no. 2 arm, just got shelled against the Twins, driving his ERA up to 4.03.

Down the rotation, Zach Plesac‘s 4.17 and Aaron Civale‘s ungodly 7.20 are keeping the Guardians from hitting the next gear.

Could someone like Frankie Montas or Luis Castillo come in to give the rotation some stability?

It would likely require significant assets.

Fortunately, Cleveland is flush with prospects, should they choose to go all in on this season.

In the outfield, Kansas City’s Andrew Benintendi looks to be one of the deadline’s biggest bats that could move.

The outfielder is slashing .299/.367/.388 this season with the Royals.

While he traditionally plays left field, he has some experience playing in center, a position Cleveland desperately could use some help at.

Further, Benintendi has 80 hits through just 71 games, embodying Cleveland’s hit-for-contact philosophy.

As it stands, the club is getting virtually nothing on offense from Myles Straw of late.

Why not sacrifice some of his defense to get a quality batter?

 

Sell Out

Should Cleveland decide not to be “all-in” buyers, it would make sense.

We knew the rap on this team heading into the season.

The average age of MLB Teams. Cleveland does such a good job in young talent. The future is definitely bright for the Guardians. #Guardians pic.twitter.com/m6CcyjZf37

— David Hrusovsky Sports (@davehrus) June 22, 2022

“This is a young team.”

“Prepare for a long, rebuilding season.”

“The Tigers and Royals have more to be excited about in terms of big-name prospects.”

And while Cleveland has admirably turned that narrative on its head, the evidence behind the argument remains.

This is a club that’s built itself back up from within, pulling off shrewd trades for prospects that are finally starting to see the light of pro action.

Instead of selling off assets, keep them stockpiled and trust the development team in the farm.

After all, they’ve done an excellent job so far.

There are moves to be made involving guys that might not be long-term fits for this team.

Do the Phillies look at Myles Straw’s defense in center field and decide he’s worth biting for?

If so, what can Cleveland add to its coffers?

This is a team built to compete for the future — and we shouldn’t lose sight of that fact.

In a year, when guys like Daniel Espino are getting the call-up, then it’ll be time for Cleveland to go all in.

But for now, don’t rush a young team’s development by putting too much pressure on them.

They’re just too fun to mess with right now.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland guardians

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Guardians News

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Top Guardians Prospect Falls In Latest Rankings

7 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

What To Watch For As The Guardians Face Tough Schedule Stretch

7 months ago

baseball on field

Does The MLB Owe The Guardians An Apology?

7 months ago

Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians watches from the dugout during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on May 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Guardians Rated Highly In Latest Power Rankings By MLB Insiders

7 months ago

Emmanuel Clase #48 and Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after the final out of their MLB game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

What’s Behind The Guardians’ Recent Winning Streak?

7 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

Report: Guardians Unlikely To Be Big Spenders This Winter

7 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

3 Surprising Guardians Stats With 50 Games Left

7 months ago

Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly to defeat the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field on June 10, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Athletics 3-2.

MLB Insider "Sells" Deep Guardians Playoff Run

7 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Fans React To Guardians Moving To First In The Division

7 months ago

Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians singles off Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on July 13, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Guardians 2-1.

What's Next After Franmil Reyes DFA?

7 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 03, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Could Shane Bieber Be On The Move This Winter?

8 months ago

Outfielders Alex Call #65 Myles Straw #7 and Nolan Jones #33 of the Cleveland Guardians run in after the Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Tigers 10-0.

Solving The Guardians' Logjam At Right Field

8 months ago

baseball on field

Report: Guardians Pursuit Of Deadline Target Fell Apart Over Prospects

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

What Is The Guardians Outlook After A Quiet Trade Deadline?

8 months ago

Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Is Daniel Espino Too High A Price For Juan Soto?

8 months ago

Alex Call #65 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Fans React To Guardians Win Versus Rays

8 months ago

Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians flips his bat after hitting a RBI single in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox during game one of a doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

How Josh Naylor’s Injury Affects Guardians’ Trade Deadline Plans

8 months ago

Sean Murphy #12 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on July 10, 2022 in Oakland, California.

Report: Oakland's Sean Murphy A Guardians "Top Target"

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

What To Watch For In Guardians Series Versus Rays

8 months ago

Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on June 14, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.

What Is Shane Bieber's Value?

8 months ago

Pitcher Logan Allen #54 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the bullpen during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 06, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.

2 Bullpen Targets For Guardians At Trade Deadline

8 months ago

Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs smiles during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Guardians Among "Most Likely" Trade Destinations For Cubs' Contreras

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.

What Is Shane Bieber's Future In Cleveland?

8 months ago

Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox slides home to score in the fifth inning against Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans React To Guardians Doubleheader Versus White Sox

8 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.