Guardians’ injury reinforcements given Chris Antonetti perfect trade deadline excuse

Every year you’ll hear team leaders from MLB compare the impending return of one of their injured players to that of a trade acquisition. 

But Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti is getting the rare chance to say that at the trade deadline thanks to Angel Martínez and Tim Herrin returning from the injured list today. 

Their returns are the final wave of injury reinforcements for the Guardians after José Ramírez returned from his hamate fracture earlier this week. While those returns are a good thing since it means Cleveland’s roster is back to full strength, it shouldn’t preclude Chris Antonetti and co. from making some impact moves at the deadline. 

Angel Martínez and Tim Herrin's returns shouldn't stop the Guardians from making a move at the deadline

Antonetti addressed that exact topic earlier this week, where he provided just enough to keep the trade fire ablaze while keeping his cards close to his chest. 

“That should help us, but that won't limit our pursuit of external options,” Antonetti said when asked about the team’s injury reinforcements. 

Martínez’s return has a chance to be a huge X-factor for the final two months of the season given he showed some solid pop prior to getting hurt. That said, he still strikes out a ton and doesn’t have a solid defensive home, so it’s not like he’s going to solve all of the Guardians’ problems. 

The best way the Guardians can complement his return is by going after a right-handed hitter who can slot into the outfield, first base and/or designated hitter picture. 

That’s easier said than done, however, since the expanded postseason has eliminated the number of true sellers at the deadline. Now teams try to weave the line between both by making surplus for surplus trades (like what the Guardians did last season with Shane Bieber), but those can be tougher to execute. 

The Guardians have the prospect capital needed to swing pretty much any deal their way, but it remains to be seen just how much the Guardians are going to be willing to give up (and who they’re going to be willing to give it up for). 

The good news is that their lineup already looks more dangerous with Ramírez back in it (he reached base twice in both of his first two games back against the Twins). 

Even if he’s batting just .239, he’s still found a way to be productive with his legs and power. Plus, his mere presence in the lineup changes the way that teams need to attack the Guardians. 

The Guardians have all the makings of a classic “Guards Ball” team thanks to their strong pitching and contact-based approach, but they’ve also had some maddening inconsistencies that have prevented them from running away with a weak American League Central. 

While having their roster back to full strength will help in their quest to take the division, it’s clear they still need an external reinforcement or two to be a true contender. Martínez and Herrin coming back shouldn’t stop that from happening.

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