5 players the Cleveland Guardians should target in trade talks

There seems to be a general understanding that the Cleveland Guardians will not be big spenders in free agency. This presents a problem. The Guardians just finished a season in which they won the American League Central division and advanced to the ALCS. Their contention window is open now, and they must act accordingly. In order to do that, however, they must find a way to add to their roster, and that means turning their attention to the trade market, with the following five players that should be on their radar.

1. Brandon Lowe - Tampa Bay Rays

Some may wonder why Brandon Lowe is included in this list, considering that Cleveland has Andres Gimenez at second base and the first overall pick in the 2024 June Amateur Draft, Travis Bazzana, working his way through the minor league system. With some expecting Gimenez to switch to shortstop, there will be a need for a second baseman, at least early on that is.

It should also be mentioned that Lowe would only be a short-term addition, as he can become a free agent after 2025 if his club option for 2026 is declined. This would provide the Guardians with organizational flexibility that can allow them to insert Bazzana into the mix during the 2025 season if he proves he is ready to make his major league debut.

Lowe also has positional flexibility, having appeared at second, first, and the outfield during his career (Lowe did not play outfield for Tampa Bay in 2024 but did in previous seasons). If the Guardians were to acquire Lowe, they could similarly use him to how Daniel Schneemann was used in 2024, but with a significantly higher offensive upside. This would allow Stephen Vogt to continue to use his bench and role players at the same rate as he did this past season. Positional flexibility with their non-stars is something this organization clearly values, and adding Lowe into the mix would give them the opportunity to continue that approach.