With the Cleveland Guardians preparing for the 2026 MLB trade deadline, which is approaching in early August, there will be speculation around the type of players the team needs. As rumors will surround the Guardians ahead of the trade deadline, this reporter details the dire needs of the ball club.
Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Andre Knott would say that he would be “shocked” if the Guardians did not acquire another arm in the bullpen. Aside from a relief pitcher, Knott also expressed that if there is a way that Cleveland could get a right-handed first baseman, that could really help the team.
“They got to go get a bullpen guy. I would be shocked if they don’t at least get another bullpen arm,” Knott said. “And I love Kyle Manzardo, and I love Reese Hoskins. But if there’s a first baseman that hits right-handed that can do better than Hoskins or better than what they have. It’s pertinent, especially with the offenses that you’ve seen in Chicago. You know what the Yankees do home run-wise. They got to try to find somebody that can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Like it’s just simple.”
“I would be shocked if they don’t get another bullpen arm,” – @DreKnott on the Guardians at the trade deadline.
Dre mentions the team also looking for a right-handed bat too 👀 pic.twitter.com/4Av48VtET1
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 14, 2026
A look at the Guardians’ first basemen
Looking at the two first basemen that Knott mentioned that are on the Guardians, the first is the veteran in Hoskins, who currently has a .178 batting average to go along with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 76 games and 214 at-bats. Along with the 33-year-old, Cleveland also has Manzardo, who has recorded a .215 batting average with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs in 87 games and 270 at-bats.
At any rate, it remains to be seen who the Guardians target ahead of August 3’s trade deadline, as the team is currently 51-46, which puts them second in the AL Central ahead of the start of the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
With the Cleveland Guardians preparing for the 2026 MLB trade deadline, which is approaching in early August, there will be speculation around the type of players the team needs. As rumors will surround the Guardians ahead of the trade deadline, this reporter details the dire needs of the ball club.
