5 Guardians taking full advantage of their runway post trade deadline

This year Cleveland went through one of the strangest trade deadlines in recent memory.

After spending most of June and July generating some buzz as a team that could change the deadline with players like Steven Kwan, Emmanuel Clase, and Carlos Santana were all mentioned as potential trade pieces.

However, Clase was put on the commissioner's exempt list just a few days before the deadline, and the trade deadline came and went without any major shakeups to the MLB roster. Here are five players who have stepped up since the deadline, taking advantage of new roles and expanded opportunities.

5 Guardians taking full advantage of their runway post trade deadline

1B Kyle Manzardo 
.208/.361/.417, 3 HR, 8 RBI in 16 games since the trade deadline

Don't let the subpar average fool you, Manzardo has been very good since the trade deadline. He is still splitting time at first base with Carlos Santana but is slowly getting more opportunities.

The Guardians are hoping he can improve his consistency, lower his strikeouts, and raise his average, but if he can continue improving there is a chance the team has a first baseman of the future that they can trust. 

INF Bryan Rocchio
.279/.323/.410, 2 HR, 10 RBI in 18 games

Rocchio's resurgence has been unexpected but has also been a breath of fresh air. While Rocchio opened camp with the team on the big league roster, he was sent down the minors in May was beginning to feel a big league afterthought.

However, Rocchio has turned a corner since being recalled from Triple-A and shown some versatility by playing at second base for the first time in his career. He's going to have the spend the rest of the season showing that wasn't a fluke, and, if he does that, he has a legitimate chance to show the front office that he can be a piece for the future.

RHP Gavin Williams 
2-0, 1.96 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 23 innings

While this strech has been highlighted by Williams' near no-hitter against the Mets, Williams has shown a level of consistncy that has made it seem like he can be an ace.

Williams has always had the tools to be great, but that lack of consistency has limited him from reaching his full potential, but he's allowed one run of less in three of his four starts since the deadline. The only game that he gave up multiple runs was his start after he threw 126 pitches in his near no-hitter.

The Guardians have long been viewed as a pitching factory, and there is a very good chance they have developed another ace. 

RHP Cade Smith
3-0, 1.59 ERA, 12 K, 4 SV in 11 1/3 innings

Despite a blown save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Smith has been masterful at the back of the bullpen.

He's been one of the best setup men in the league since he made his debut at the start of 2024, and he's earned an opportunity for increased opportunities as a closer after Clase's suspension.

Stephen Vogt may still be saying that he's deploying a "closer by committee approach," but Smith may end up being the Guardians' closer of the future if he keeps performing like this.

LHP Erik Sabrowski
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 K in 17 2/3 innings

Sabrowski has been nothing short of lights out since he made his debut with the Guardians last September. After tossing eight scoreless appearances in the regular season, he allowed one run in five innings in the postseason and has allowed just two runs this season.

He's stepped up and taken taken up a bigger role since the trade deadline, but has been able to meet the moment at every step.

Although it's unrealistic to assume he won't allow a run for the rest of the season, the Guardians' bullpen still feel deep thanks to his strong performance this year.