Guardians’ top trade need is clear amid offensive woes once again originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Cleveland Guardians are sitting atop the AL Central, and with the Kansas City Royals‘ struggles, the Detroit Tigers look to be their only competition.
While they have a lot going for them at the moment, there is a major issue with the roster that has made their trade deadline needs very clear already this season.
As Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter highlighted, the Guardians, once again, have an issue surrounding Jose Ramirez with offensive firepower. Specifically, the Guardians need better sluggers in the middle of the batting order.
Guardians have middle-of-order issue once more
“Cleveland Guardians: Middle-of-the-order-bat,” Reuter writes. “The front office failed to make a major offseason addition, and the offense is again largely a one-man show.”
The Guardians are being led by Ramirez offensively this season. That isn’t an issue at all, as it’s a good sign that Ramirez is playing well.
But the problem comes in with how the rest of the lineup isn’t playing nearly as well. Daniel Schneemann has a .890 OPS on the season, and Bryan Rocchio has an .847 OPS, while Chase DeLauter has an .810 OPS.
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Cleveland’s issue is with the rest of their lineup. Rhys Hoskins has a .710 OPS, while Kyle Manzardo, someone the team needed to hit well this season, has just a .502 OPS.
The Guardians’ offense, once again, needs to find a slugger or two to surround Ramirez with better firepower. The trade deadline is a must for the Guardians this year.
After failing to find a slugger over the offseason, the trade deadline is a chance for the Guardians to acquire more offense, and specifically a batter to hit behind Ramirez and give him some protection.
There are sure to be some options available by the trade deadline, and the only question for the Guardians will be whether the front office is willing to invest in this year’s team. If they are ready, a middle-of-the-order bat is a must-add for the Guardians this season.
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