Guardians Trade Deadline Moves Create Uncertainty For Rest Of Season

Originally posted on FanNation Cleveland Baseball Insider
By Tommy Wild | Last updated 8/2/23

The Cleveland Guardians traded away Amed Rosario last week to open up playing time for Gabriel Arias and Tyler Freeman. Okay, that move made sense.

Their next move was to sell high and take advantage of the starting pitching market by trading Aaron Civale to the Tampa Bay Rays. The rationale for trading Civale is there, but sending him away for a minor-league bat who most likely won't debut until 2024 is a questionable move.

The last trade Cleveland was getting off Josh Bell's contract. They sent the struggling hitter to the Miami Marlins for Jean Segura (who will be released) and infield prospect Kahlil Watson.

Moving on from Bell felt like a necessary move. He wasn't producing and was clogging up the lineup as a designated hitter. This transaction will give the Guardians much more flexibility with who they roll out.

Cleveland has been chasing the Minnesota Twins for the division crown all season. At times it's felt in reach and one or two more pieces could've solidified Cleveland as the team to beat in the AL Central.

However, none of the moves the Guardians made will immediately make them a better team this season. They will still be down a starting pitcher until they can get healthy and have a rotation full of rookies who will reach their innings limit soon. Plus, the team still desperately needs a reliable Big League bat in the outfield.

Not addressing the team's needs while trading away other pieces doesn't make another postseason berth any easier.

This feeling of uncertainty apparently reached the dugout as it was reported that the Civale trade "did not go over well" with some on the team.

None of this is to say that this current roster can't win the division for the second straight season. The Guardians are young and full of talent, have hovered around one to two games out of first place for weeks now, and it looks like the winner of the Central will come down to the final week of the season.

But trading away veterans without getting immediate help does raise some eyebrows about where the front office's focus is.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Cleveland Baseball Insider and was syndicated with permission.

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