From an outsider's perspective, the MLB trade deadline is a thrilling spectacle. It's like watching a high-stakes chess game with unexpected twists and moves that can change the course of the season. But from the inside, it's a different story.
Stephen Vogt, the Guardians' manager, doesn't mince words. "I think the trade deadline stinks," he says. "You’re either losing people you love or you’re gaining somebody that you don’t know. And it can be scary for people... it’s very real." The excitement of acquiring new talent often comes at the cost of losing cherished teammates, and that's a tough pill to swallow.
The July 30 trade deadline is fast approaching, just ten days away. The Guardians are sitting pretty with the best record in the American League at 59-37, but they know they need reinforcements, particularly in the starting rotation. If they can't snag a starter, they might look to bolster their offense or bullpen.
Vogt believes in being upfront with his players as the deadline looms. "I think it’s having that open dialogue of it’s OK to not be OK with this," he says. "It’s OK if this doesn’t feel good for a few days. And we’ve had some moves like that on our team this year that were unpopular. It hurts. It hurts us."
In the middle of this whirlwind, Vogt has confidence in the front office led by Chris Antonetti, Mike Chernoff, and Matt Forman. "They’re very thoughtful and very smart with what they want to do," he says. They understand the delicate balance of maintaining team chemistry while making necessary changes.
The uncertainty is palpable as the 6 p.m. June 30 deadline approaches. "All I know is that we have a game tonight with the 26 guys that are here and I love that and I want to go out and win every single day," Vogt states. He emphasizes the human aspect of these players, who have formed bonds with their teammates, making the trade deadline a particularly tough time.
Akron, Here I Come
Meanwhile, Matthew Boyd is making strides in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. He’s set for his second rehab start for the Guardians on Sunday with Class AA Akron. Boyd, who inked a one-year big league deal with Cleveland on June 29, had an impressive rehab start Tuesday for the Guardians' complex team in Goodyear, Arizona, striking out seven over three innings and throwing 48 pitches.
Sam Hentges Update
Lefty Sam Hentges is also on the mend, expected to start playing catch in the next day or two. Hentges was placed on the 15-day injured reserve with a sore left shoulder on July 12. "I tried to pitch through it, but it wasn’t getting any better," he admits. Hentges has had a challenging season, opening on the IL with an injured middle finger. Despite this, in 25 appearances, he's pitched 23 2/3 innings with 27 strikeouts, five walks, and 18 hits.
Big Ups for Big Inning
Vogt couldn't hide his excitement during the Guardians’ six-run eighth inning on Friday. Their recent trip before the break saw them go 2-5 against the Tigers and Rays, with three shutouts and a total of just 16 runs scored—nine of which came in one game.
“That was probably my favorite inning of baseball that we’ve played in the last two or three weeks,” Vogt enthused. “It just looked like us when we’re putting pressure on teams, using the bunt, running right in people’s faces, making them make plays.” The Guardians racked up five hits in the inning, along with a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. "I just felt we got back to being us in the eighth inning," Vogt added.
Production Plus
On the offensive side, Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor are proving their worth. Going into Saturday night’s game, they were ranked second and third in the AL in RBIs, with 79 and 70, respectively. Aaron Judge of the Yankees holds the top spot with 86. When it comes to home runs, Ramirez is tied for fourth place with Boston’s Rafael Devers at 23, while Naylor sits in seventh with 22. Judge leads the charge with 36.
As the trade deadline draws nearer, the tension is palpable. The Guardians are in a prime position, but the moves they make (or don’t make) could have a lasting impact. It’s a time of uncertainty, hope, and a lot of nervous energy. Whether they add a new pitcher, beef up the bullpen, or bring in some offensive firepower, the coming days are sure to be a rollercoaster for the team and its fans.
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