Guardians named as possible suitor for Rays outfielder

The All-Star Break is almost here and the Cleveland Guardians have put themselves in position to add at the upcoming trade deadline. With a record that is 20+ games over .500, the Guardians are clearly contenders and definitely a team that can be classified as a buyer rather than a seller.

While there are a few notable areas of need on the roster, including shortstop and starting pitching, the outfield could still use some help. Cleveland did see the return of Will Brennan on Thursday by way of optioning Gabriel Arias in a much overdue move, but it still feels like an acquisition via trade could be just what they need. One name was mentioned as a possible option for the Guardians by The Athletic's Jim Bowden in a recent article. Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena. Arozarena was one of a few options named by Bowden as possible targets for Cleveland.

"They’re also looking to add another bat, probably in the outfield, via trade. Lane Thomas, Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Randy Arozarena could make sense."

Jim Bowden on Guardians' trade targets

Granted, this is not a rumor or even a report of anything genuinely happening, just Bowden making a connection between the first-place Guardians and fourth-place Rays. Tampa Bay seems likely to sell at the deadline, given how far back they are from the New York Yankees in the American League East (12 games) and the Wild Card hunt in the AL (5.5 games). Should the Rays look to move some players, Cleveland would be an ideal trade partner, considering their recent trade history.

Now, it must be said that the 2024 version of Arozarena is a far cry from what has been seen previously. The 29-year-old outfielder has seen his slash line drop from his career average of .255/.345/.437 to .203/.311/.360 while his OPS+ has followed suit (122-94). Even though these numbers are far from encouraging, Arozarena does have 16 doubles and 11 home runs on the year, and would lead the Guardians in both categories this season.

There is also something to be said about a change of scenery and being on a winning team that may bring his bat to life. Being on a fourth-place team can be discouraging for a player of his caliber, and coming to Cleveland could result in Arozarena looking more like his previous self. Sometimes, all it takes is being traded away from an underachieving team for a productive offensive player to find his groove again, and Cleveland looks to be in position to make that happen.

Arozarena has two more arbitration-eligible years before becoming a free agent in 2027. This is the exact type of player that Cleveland likes to target in trades. While it may cost more initially, the Guardians have more often than not come out on top in deals like this, and if Tampa Bay does make him available before the deadline, do not be surprised if Cleveland attempts to make a deal.