At the MLB trade deadline, there might be no team more intriguing than the Cleveland Guardians. With multiple trade chips who could make a difference, teams across baseball will keep a close eye on the Guardians in the build-up to the trade deadline.
Within the organization, there are a few players who are drawing significant interest. But, for MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Guardians' top trade candidates are relievers Cade Smith and Emmanuel Clase.
"The AL Central is the division to call for controllable relievers." Rosenthal writes, "The Cleveland Guardian's Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith are two trade candidates. But prying any of those pitchers loose might be difficult."
Rosenthal identified Clase, who's been in rumors lately, as a top trade candidate. But, he also included Smith, who's only in his second Major League season. The reason why both would draw significant interest is their control.
Clase is under contract through the 2026 season, with club options for 2027 and 2028 at $10 million each. Smith, meanwhile, has yet to hit arbitration and is under team control through the 2029 season.
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Those years of control are very appealing to teams around baseball looking to add a reliever. It'd cost more than a simple rental, but having a player for more than just one season is a very appealing move for teams at the deadline.
However, while there will be plenty of teams interested and willing to pay more, a trade of either might prove to be difficult. One of the big reasons, other than stingy negotiations, is the team's soft schedule.
Cleveland plays a home series against the Athletics and then the Baltimore Orioles, before heading to Kansas City, and wrapping up the month back home against the Colorado Rockies.
This lighter schedule could have the Guardians in a postseason spot by July 31st, effectively taking them out of the seller's market at the deadline.
While Rosenthal identified both Guardians relievers as trade candidates, neither is likely to be traded. Between the disciplined negotiations and the soft schedule, Cleveland is likely to hold onto their top reliever trade candidates.
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