2 hours ago - Sports

Guardians' biggest trade deadline need: More offense

Troy Smith

A baseball player in a white and red Indians jersey swings a teal-taped bat, wearing a black helmet, as fans watch from blurred stands in the background. — Guardians third baseman José Ramírez will hopefully be back from injury soon. Photo: Frank Jansky/Getty Images

You know we're halfway through a baseball season when there's talk of the Guardians needing hitting help.

State of play: MLB's trade deadline is less than a month away (Aug. 3), and Cleveland ranked in the bottom five in runs scored, home runs and slugging percentage.

The Guardians are second in the AL Central behind the Chicago White Sox.

Between the lines: The returns of third baseman José Ramírez and outfielder Angel Martínez, who are on the injured list, should help.

Yes, but: Cleveland is still void of a top-tier hitter who bats exclusively from the right side of the plate.

What's next: Don't expect the Guardians to go after a huge name, but landing a right-handed run producer seems necessary.

A trade for someone like Taylor Ward (Baltimore Orioles) or former Guardian Lane Thomas (Kansas City Royals), along with several others, could fit.

Add Axios on Google

Guardians' biggest trade deadline need: More offense

More Cleveland stories