![\"Logan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287538566-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCINCINNATI \u2014 The Cleveland Guardians wrestled back the Ohio Cup from the Cincinnati Reds, but maybe they want more hardware than that.<\/p>\n
If they do, they might want to swing a trade before the 6 p.m. ET deadline Monday. In case the organization\u2019s decision-makers, Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff, are out of ideas, you\u2019ve come prepared. You submitted trade proposals you want to see the Guardians make. I took them to the experts for an evaluation.<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: 2B Luis Arraez<\/p>\n
Giants receive: SP Braylon Doughty, IF Welbyn Francisca<\/p>\n
\u2014 Peter P.<\/p>\n
Arraez is the most polarizing player in baseball for front offices to evaluate, but the San Francisco Giants need just one team to decide he\u2019s worth a steep cost as a rental player. His defensive improvement at second base, combined with generational contact skills that figure to be valuable in the context of October baseball, should make the bidding at least competitive. Doughty received an over-slot bonus as the 36th pick in the 2024 draft, and the Guardians\u2019 pitching instincts are typically trustworthy, so the pitching-starved Giants system would be getting a compelling return. \u2014 Andrew Baggarly<\/p>\n
The Guardians aren\u2019t going to make Travis Bazzana learn a new position in the middle of his rookie season, so Arraez would have to play first base or serve as the designated hitter, which goes against his wishes. Other teams might want to stick him at second base, where he\u2019s been a revelation this season. I don\u2019t see Cleveland parting with Doughty, its top pitching prospect, plus a 20-year-old infielder, for an out-of-position rental, as much as I\u2019d enjoy watching Arraez hit in front of or behind Steven Kwan and Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Guardians<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: SP Logan Webb, OF Heliot Ramos<\/p>\n
Giants receive: SS Angel Genao, OF Juneiker Caceres, PTBNL<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gavin P.<\/p>\n
If Buster Posey is telling the truth, and his reputation for earnestness rivals that of a teenage George Washington holding an ax, then the Giants aren\u2019t trading Logan Webb. Fun to dream, though. \u2014 Baggarly<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n The Giants\u2019 Logan Webb, who got the win Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers, has made two postseason starts in his career, allowing one run in 14 2\/3 innings. (Brandon Vallance \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Webb would cement Cleveland\u2019s rotation as one of the league\u2019s best, and he could reconnect with Patrick Bailey, his old batterymate. Ramos is an ideal fit, too. The identity of the PTBNL might be important. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Giants<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: OF Heliot Ramos<\/p>\n
Giants receive: C Cooper Ingle, SP Joey Oakie<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jack L.<\/p>\n
Wait. So you\u2019re telling me the Giants, barely two months after trading the two-time Gold Glove winning catcher (Bailey) to Cleveland, are going to turn around and acquire the top catching prospect in the Guardians\u2019 system? It\u2019s an interesting scenario, and it\u2019s true, the Giants have no real catching fallback plan if Rule 5 rookie Daniel Susac and fast-rising former nonprospect callup Drew Cavanaugh don\u2019t work out. Ramos has three more years of club control, he cleans up against left-handed pitching, and a lot of teams are desperate for right-handed-hitting outfielders. He\u2019s also been an inconsistent defender, and the Giants have the designated hitter spot locked up through the rest of the decade with Bryce Eldridge and Rafael Devers. So trading Ramos makes sense if the return is compelling enough. The Giants might feel a greater need to spin Ramos for pitching, though. Oakie has an encouraging ceiling, but he\u2019s not likely to be a part of what will need to be a major reengineering of the pitching staff next season. \u2014 Baggarly<\/p>\n
Ingle is a logical trade candidate for the Guardians, who don\u2019t seem compelled to let him catch in the majors. Oakie has taken a step back this season and is currently sidelined with an illness, but he\u2019s only 20, and The Athletic\u2019s Keith Law placed him on his Top 100 prospects list in the spring. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Giants<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: RP Brooks Raley<\/p>\n
Mets receive: C Bo Naylor<\/p>\n
\u2014 Larry W.<\/p>\n
I think we\u2019re in the right neighborhood here, as Naylor is the right level of player for a Raley return. My one question would be his positional fit. The Mets have Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens as their big-league backstops. While Alvarez\u2019s name has hit the rumor mill, I\u2019d still be surprised if the Mets traded him now as a 24-year-old. And so the Mets would have to like Naylor mostly as a third catcher \u2014 who, frankly, would get some run given Alvarez\u2019s injury history. My guess is they\u2019d prefer a catcher further away from the majors or a near-ready player at a different position, such as a reliever. \u2014 Tim Britton<\/p>\n
The Guardians all but ended the Naylor era in Cleveland when they acquired Bailey in May. Now they\u2019ll likely try to swap him for a lottery-ticket prospect or a mildly useful big leaguer. Raley, obviously, fits the latter description with his 2.09 ERA. Several teams have checked in on Naylor since his demotion. He has three-plus years of control, and another team might think it can fix his bat. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: no one<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: SS Francisco Lindor, cash<\/p>\n
Mets receive: SS Angel Genao, OF Kahlil Watson, C Cooper Ingle<\/p>\n
\u2014 Corry G.<\/p>\n
I have to be honest: You\u2019ve got my attention. The Mets are never going to give Lindor away just to get out from the $160 million he\u2019s owed through 2031, and this is the kind of package they have to at least consider. There are two main obstacles. First, that \u201c+ cash\u201d is awfully broad. Are we talking $5 million per year or $10 million per year or even more to make Lindor more affordable for Cleveland? (I suspect the Mets wouldn\u2019t want to go much over $5 million per year, and that the Guardians would want at least $10 million per.)<\/p>\n
Second, David Stearns and the Mets would have to have a good blueprint to replace Lindor for 2027. Even if they consider Genao their Opening Day shortstop, an offense that has underperformed expectations would have to add significantly elsewhere to make up for a reasonable drop-off there. That\u2019s why I imagine trading Lindor, if it were to happen, would be much easier in the offseason, when it can more realistically be grouped with other moves that complement it. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll never forget when Lindor first returned to Progressive Field in 2024 and, when asked what he misses most about Cleveland, he replied: \u201cWinning.\u201d If the Guardians knew there would be a salary floor implemented in the new collective bargaining agreement, perhaps they would pursue a deal such as this. Lindor\u2019s metrics remain great, for what it\u2019s worth. As things stand, though, I don\u2019t see it. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Guardians<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: OF Byron Buxton, SP Dasan Hill, SP Riley Quick<\/p>\n
Twins receive: SS Angel Genao, SP Logan Allen, UT David Fry, OF Alfonsin Rosario, C Jacob Cozart, SP Joey Oakie<\/p>\n
\u2014 Craig S.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not reading all that. I only needed to see \u201cBuxton\u201d to be able to write this off. In early April, Buxton secured 10-and-5 rights, meaning his limited no-trade clause became a full no-trade once again. He\u2019s stated repeatedly he isn\u2019t going anywhere. If the Twins traded Joe Ryan, Buxton might want out. But the Twins want to be as loyal to Buxton as he\u2019s been to them. That means keeping Buxton happy, which means keeping Ryan and adding on, not trading him and two of their most promising pitching prospects. Even if Buxton isn\u2019t happy, he\u2019s not choosing Cleveland over Atlanta or other select teams. \u2014 Dan Hayes<\/p>\n
Craig, this is bad and you should be ashamed. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Twins<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: OF Byron Buxton<\/p>\n
Twins receive: OF Steven Kwan, 1B Kyle Manzardo, C Cooper Ingle, SP Joey Oakie<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tom S.<\/p>\n
See answer above. \u2014 Hayes<\/p>\n
Tom, this is bad and you should be ashamed. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Twins<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: RP Adrian Morejon<\/p>\n
Padres receive: C Cooper Ingle, IF Dean Curley<\/p>\n
\u2014 Peter P.<\/p>\n
On paper, two players among an organization\u2019s top 10 prospects might be a pretty good return for Morejon, a pending free agent the San Diego Padres probably can\u2019t afford to re-sign. (Look at what Tanner Scott got from the Los Angeles Dodgers two years ago.) But I think A.J. Preller would aim for higher upside. Morejon is getting a lot of interest, including from big-market clubs, and I\u2019ve had some non-Padres scouts rate him as the best lefty reliever in baseball. Preller also has some emotional attachment here. He signed Morejon for $11 million a decade ago, and the 27-year-old\u2019s development has been one of the clear successes for a team with few homegrown players. \u2014 Dennis Lin<\/p>\n
Offensive needs aside, the thought of one more high-leverage option would make Stephen Vogt salivate. The Guardians rode deep, dominant bullpens until mid-October in 2022 and 2024. Maybe that could be a formula for 2026, too. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Padres<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: RP Mason Miller, 1B Ty France<\/p>\n
Padres receive: C Cooper Ingle, OF Juneiker Caceres, SS Angel Genao, OF Kahlil Watson<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cory S.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m intrigued. A couple of top-100 prospects and a couple of big-league-ready guys \u2014 it\u2019s a good start. With France thrown in there and no young starting pitching going back to San Diego, however, it doesn\u2019t strike me as the \u201coverwhelming\u201d return the Padres would require to move Miller only a year after they traded Leo De Vries to acquire him. \u2014 Lin<\/p>\n
The Padres signed France to a minor-league deal in mid-February, less than a week before the Guardians signed Rhys Hoskins to a similar deal. France is enjoying a career year; Hoskins is not. I\u2019m skeptical the Guardians, who have become awfully risk averse in recent years, would part with the haul of prospects necessary to land Miller anyway. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Padres, and maybe both teams<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: RP Caleb Ferguson<\/p>\n
Reds receive: IF Alex Mooney or OF Nick Mitchell<\/p>\n
\u2014 Scotty H.<\/p>\n
Our Reds writer, C. Trent Rosecrans, shouted \u201cYes\u201d before I could even spit out the names of the prospects who could go to Cincinnati. Ferguson is a rental, a left-handed reliever with a 3.65 ERA in his career and a 3.47 ERA this season. The 30-year-old is a Columbus, Ohio, native, so being sent to Cleveland from Cincinnati would be appropriate. He could even stop at Grandpa\u2019s Cheesebarn on his way. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: no one<\/p>\n
Guardians receive: OF George Springer<\/p>\n
Blue Jays receive: IF Welbyn Francisca<\/p>\n
\u2014 Corry G.<\/p>\n
In 2024, the Jays traded veteran DH Justin Turner to Seattle for a fringe top-30 prospect in the Mariners system. Two years later, they could do a similar deal for another experienced playoff performer in Springer. The value seems fair on this deal, even with Springer\u2019s bat heating up lately. The Jays love high-contact infielders (see Ernie Clement, Josh Kasevich and 2026 draft pick Ryan Cooney), so Francisca could be appealing. It is worth noting that Springer has earned 10-and-5 rights, which allow him to veto any trade. He has played for two MLB teams, and he and family have never faced a midseason team change before, so it\u2019s unclear where or if he\u2019ll be open to moving. \u2014 Mitch Bannon<\/p>\n
Springer is earning a little more than $24 million this season, and even though Antonetti insists finances won\u2019t stand in the Guardians\u2019 way at the deadline, they\u2019d probably want Toronto to cover a good chunk. I presume Springer has never devoted a nanosecond of thought to whether he\u2019d agree to a trade to Cleveland. Francisca\u2019s a solid prospect, but he isn\u2019t regarded like Genao. \u2014 Meisel<\/p>\n
Who says no: Springer, maybe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CINCINNATI \u2014 The Cleveland Guardians wrestled back the Ohio Cup from the Cincinnati Reds, but maybe they want…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":793257,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[2320,363,99],"class_list":["post-793256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-cleveland-guardians","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/793256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=793256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/793256\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/793257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=793256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=793256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=793256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}