Trey Mancini would be perfect trade deadline target for Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians figure to be active no matter what at the trade deadline, and Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini remains an ideal target.

We’ve talked about Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Trey Mancini as a potential Guardians trade target in these parts before, but as the trade deadline begins to loom closer, it’s a proposition worth revisiting.

The 30-year-old is having another solid season with the Orioles, slashing .281/.357/.428 with eight home runs, 15 doubles, 32 RBIs and a 125 wRC+. The power is down this year, but that’s only because he desperately needs to be rescued from that new left field setup in Baltimore.

Mancini fits particularly well with the Guardians in that he can play both first base and the outfield, giving Cleveland the roster flexibility it so often covets. With Josh Naylor now dealing with some back spasms and the outfield remaining an area of concern, Mancini can slide right in.

He does have a $10 million mutual option for 2023, which may give the Guardians slight pause. But at the same time, that would essentially be an affordable one-year deal for a solid veteran who will continue to help bridge the gap until other prospects are able to make it to Cleveland and establish themselves, which includes names such as Nolan Jones, Jhonkensy Noel, and George Valera.

The Guardians have more holes in their pitching staff than they have in recent seasons, but this recent stretch of injuries and collective struggles at the plate make it painfully clear Cleveland isn’t out of the woods yet when it comes to the offense, either.

Mancini would serve as the perfect veteran complement to an incredibly young roster, bridging the gap between trying to contend now and paving the way for a future core of exciting prospects. He doesn’t come all that cheap financially, but given his age and where the Orioles are at in their own timeline, the Guardians likely wouldn’t have to part with any top prospects to make a deal happen.

Guardians fans can continue to hold out hope for a long-shot deal to happen – like one for Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds – but Trey Mancini is the exact type of bat the team needs, especially as more young names will get called up over the course of the summer and the Guardians try to stay in the playoff race.