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Guardians-Brewers trade provided us with yet another Chris Antonetti masterclass 

Jun 20, 2026:  Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Blake Perkins (16) reacts after hitting a single against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Truist Park. Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Jun 20, 2026: Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Blake Perkins (16) reacts after hitting a single against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at Truist Park. Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Guardians may never make the biggest move at the trade deadline, but Saturday provided us with yet another example of how they seem to always make the right move. 

For most teams, a distressed asset like Bo Naylor and a throwaway arm like Codi Heuer aren’t much of anything. But Antonetti somehow created lemonade by dealing the two of them to the Brewers in exchange for outfielder Blake Perkins and reliever Craig Yoho. 

While neither of them may be the complete fix to the Guardians’ long-term problems, they both help fill an obvious need, and are a better fit than the players Cleveland sent out in return.

Blake Perkins and Craig Yoho are great fits for the Guardians

Of the two, Perkins is the bigger get. Although he's not the power hitter the Guardians clearly need (career 77 OPS+), he has a plus arm and is just two years removed from recording 10 Outs Above Average in center field.

He's been a little bit better against lefties in his career (.693 OPS), so he seems like a logical fit for a center field timeshare with Petey Halpin. He also still has three years of team control remaining via arbitration, which is an added bonus.

He hit .157 in 55 games with the Brewers this season after being optioned to Triple-A at the start of the season.

Meanwhile, Yoho has posted a 3.15 ERA this season in 20 innings while striking about 23% of the batters he's faced. He also has plenty of team control and still has two minor league options remaining, so there's some added flexiblity there.

That's essentially the role that Heuer (who was signed as a non-roster invitee to spring training in the offseason) was filling, through he had more mixed results (4.66 ERA in 9 2/3 innings) and also has a history of serious arm troubles. Being able to flip him for a younger, healthier reliever in Yoho is a great move.

The biggest part of this trade that could come back and bite the Guardians is the loss of Naylor. Although he struggled mightily at the beginning of this season and had spent the past three months in Triple-A, he's still has plenty of talent and is an obvious change-of-scenery candidate.

The Brewers have already announced they're sending Naylor to Triple-A, but that seems like a temporary move as they look to deal away Gary Sanchez.

The Guardians annouced their intentions with Naylor the minute they traded for Patrick Bailey, which made it seem like he was destined for an exit that came with the Guardians getting good ol' cash considerations.

Instead, they were able to net an outfielder who helps them in the short-term and a reliever who could end up getting some big outs for the Guardians down the strech.

The only way this move could get better is if the Guardians make an additional trade for a more bonafide power arm or bat. But if this is it, it's about as good of a marginal move as you can make.

It's the Guardians way.

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