The Cleveland Guardians are staring down some real problems in their outfield as the 2025 MLB trade deadline creeps closer. Steven Kwan has given them some steady play, but beyond him? It’s been a mess of injuries, demotions, and flat-out disappointing performances. Reinforcements aren’t just a nice idea—they’re basically mandatory now. One name drawing attention is Miami Marlins outfielder Jesús Sánchez. He might just be the missing piece in Cleveland’s outfield. With July 31 looming, the Guardians have to make a move if they want to stay in the division race.
The Guardians’ Outfield Woes in 2025
It’s been rough in the Cleveland outfield this year. A bunch of guys just haven’t delivered, whether it’s bad luck or just plain bad play. Steven Kwan has held things together, but the rest of the plan fell apart thanks to injuries and players not living up to expectations.
Statistical Struggles and Demotions
Lane Thomas looked promising early, but then injuries hit, and now he’s stuck at a brutal .129 batting average. The Guardians tried to fix things with trades, but Nolan Jones hasn’t impressed since he arrived. Jhonkensy Noel got sent down to the minors, which kind of says it all about the lack of immediate answers in the system.
With the in-house options floundering, it’s hard to see how Cleveland waits much longer before looking outside for help. They’ve been pretty aggressive at the deadline before, so maybe that’s coming again.
Jesús Sánchez: A Potential Game-Changer
If the Guardians want to fix their outfield, Jesús Sánchez from the Marlins is a pretty intriguing option. He’s just 27 and checks a lot of boxes for what Cleveland usually looks for—affordable, some upside, and not a rental.
Why Sánchez Makes Sense for Cleveland
Sánchez is under team control through 2027 and will make $4.5 million in 2025, which fits right into Cleveland’s budget-conscious approach. Since May, he’s quietly put together a solid season, hitting .262/.340/.399 over 191 plate appearances. Five home runs, 25 RBIs—honestly, those numbers blow away what Cleveland’s been getting from right field.
What’s more, he seems to be finding his groove at the plate lately. That kind of steady bat and balanced approach could inject some much-needed life into Cleveland’s lineup. The Guardians also have a stacked farm system, so they could make a deal happen with Miami without gutting their future.
Is a Deal Feasible with the Marlins?
The trade rumors around Sánchez make sense when you look at Miami’s situation. The Marlins have a bunch of young hitters coming up, which makes Sánchez a little more expendable than he’d be otherwise. That surplus could work in Cleveland’s favor, since Miami might be open to moving him to clear space for their prospects.
Picking up Sánchez would fit Cleveland’s usual playbook—find a guy with upside and multiple years of control, not just a quick fix. It’s the kind of move that could finally settle their outfield, not just for this year, but for a while. Maybe it’s time to pull the trigger?
Final Thoughts
The 2025 MLB trade deadline creeps closer every day. The Cleveland Guardians really need to fix their outfield if they want to stay in the race.
Jesús Sánchez? He looks like a solid, realistic trade target. He could boost their lineup right away and still let them keep some wiggle room with the budget.
Miami’s situation, the numbers, and Cleveland’s pile of prospects all line up for a win-win deal. The Guardians just can’t ignore these outfield problems anymore.
If they pull the trigger—maybe with Sánchez—they might actually turn a weak spot into a strength. July 31 isn’t that far off, so I’d expect Cleveland’s front office to get moving and do what it takes to keep the playoff dream alive.
Here is the source article for this story: Insider Reveals Guardians’ Top Trade Target to Fix Flagrant Issue
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