Guardians' Trade Deadline deals address team's biggest weaknesses

CLEVELAND -- President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti forecast the Guardians would “look at all opportunities” to improve before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. He wasn’t kidding.

The Guardians made a flurry of additions Monday to bolster their roster as they push for a third consecutive division title and aim to make a run in a wide-open American League come October.

The Guardians acquired outfielder Jo Adell from the Angels, starter Foster Griffin from the Nationals and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Reds on Monday. That followed a trade for catcher Patrick Bailey on May 9, and a deal for reliever Craig Yoho and outfielder Blake Perkins on Saturday.

“We feel we're a better baseball team today than we were 10 days ago,” Antonetti said Monday evening. “We feel we've been able to make additions that have strengthened, really, every aspect of the team.”

The Guardians (57-56) entered Monday holding the AL’s third Wild Card spot and three games behind the White Sox (59-52) in the AL Central. The division has become a three-team race with the Twins (56-57). All three clubs have been active.

The White Sox acquired starter Luis Castillo, reliever Huascar Brazobán, catcher Joey Bart and outfielder Brenton Doyle. The Twins landed starter Dean Kremer and relievers A.J. Minter and Jeff Hoffman.

“We are in a competitive position in a very competitive division in a competitive American League,” Antonetti said. “If there were opportunities to improve the team at costs that we thought were reasonable, we wanted to try to do that.”

Here’s the lowdown on Monday’s moves.

OF Jo Adell
The Guardians entered Monday ranked 27th in MLB in home runs (109). Adell (whom Cleveland acquired for catching prospect Jacob Cozart) infuses a powerful bat into the lineup. He hit 16 home runs with the Angels this season, while logging a .682 OPS.

Adell, 27, is under club control through 2027. He bats right-handed, which is key, given the Guardians entered Monday 28th in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching (.652). Adell has a .909 OPS against southpaws this season. Cleveland also feels there is more in the tank for him against righties (.593 OPS this season).

“[He’s] a very good complement to our lineup,” Antonetti said.

Adell has experience at all three outfield spots. He’s expected to play right field and DH with Cleveland. When he plays in right, Chase DeLauter figures to DH.

The Guardians optioned David Fry to Triple-A Columbus after acquiring Adell. Fry has hit just .182 with a .640 OPS in 71 games this season. The versatile third catcher and clubhouse leader has not been behind the plate since May 26, and has gone 0-for-25 in limited duty since July 3.

Antonetti called trading Cozart (Cleveland’s second-round Draft pick in 2024) “painful.” But Cleveland has a ton of catching depth between Bailey and Austin Hedges in the Majors, and Cooper Ingle and Kody Huff with Triple-A Columbus. The Guardians also drafted catcher Deiten Lachance in the sixth round this year.

LHP Foster Griffin
The Guardians didn’t need to add a starting pitcher. Their Opening Day staff started all but one of the first 113 games this season, while logging a 3.68 ERA (sixth in MLB, entering Monday). But acquiring Griffin fortifies what is already a huge strength.

Griffin recorded a 3.06 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and 30 walks in 129 1/3 innings over 22 starts with Washington this season. The 31-year-old, who earned his first All-Star nod this season, has been one of the Majors’ biggest surprises.

A 2014 first-round Draft pick by the Royals, Griffin spent 2023-25 with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. He reestablished himself after an up-and-down career stateside, and landed a one-year deal with Washington over the offseason. He is set to become a free agent after the season.

“We feel we're acquiring a starting pitcher that has been one of the best starters in baseball this year,” Antonetti said.

Griffin’s arrival will shake up a rotation featuring Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick and Gavin Williams in some fashion. Cleveland will work through how in the coming days.

Someone could be moved to the bullpen; Cantillo and Cecconi have experience pitching there. The Guardians could use a six-man rotation to monitor workloads. Cecconi (whose 4.78 ERA is highest among the starters) could be sent to Columbus. He has one Minor League option remaining.

1B Nathaniel Lowe
This move directly impacted Kyle Manzardo, whom the Guardians optioned to Columbus Monday amid his uneven season offensively.

“It was a really hard decision,” Antonetti said.

Manzardo hit 27 home runs in 2025. He has hit 13 over 102 games this season while logging a .684 OPS. Antonetti said the Guardians still believe the 26-year-old will be a “really productive” big league hitter. But they stood to upgrade from his production.

Lowe will get most of the Guardians’ at-bats at first base versus righties, against whom he hit .286 with 12 home runs and an .885 OPS in 251 plate appearances with Cincinnati. The 31-year-old is set to become a free agent this offseason. Rhys Hoskins will slot in against lefties.

The Guardians’ offense has been their biggest weak point this season. They lengthened it and raised its floor Monday. They hope the moves will bear fruit over the coming months.