The Cleveland Guardians are set to open a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds as they look to snap out of a recent slump, having dropped three of their last four series.
The team has struggled for some time, and now the Guardians’ lineup is battling to find consistent firepower. While their farm system holds potential power hitters, the club has yet to call them up for reasons unclear.
Why Are the Cleveland Guardians Shy of Making These Moves?
In a recent episode of the “Foul Territory podcast,” the issue of the Guardians not calling up their top prospects was heavily discussed.
Sports personality Adam “The Bull” Gerstenhaber claimed, “They don’t want to call them up, and they don’t want to trade them either to get veterans.”
“They don’t want to call them up and they don’t want to trade them either to get veterans.”
The Guardians have to start calling up some of their top prospects, says @AdamTheBull. pic.twitter.com/vSiMVpQNj0
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 9, 2025
Given that outfielders Nolan Jones has been a huge letdown, and Jhonkensy Noel was recently demoted to the minor leagues, the Guardians most certainly need some outfield assistance.
Following Cleveland’s decision to option Jhonkensy Noel to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, the team called up right fielder Jonathan Rodríguez, their No. 12 prospect. Rodríguez started in right field for the series finale against the Houston Astros.
As a member of a committee in right field with Jones, Noel saw inconsistent playing time and found it challenging to get going offensively this season.
Rodríguez made the Guardians’ Opening Day roster but logged just five at-bats over four games before being optioned to Columbus on April 8. Since then, he has found success at the plate.
Rodriguez has seven home runs, 32 RBIs, 23 walks and 48 strikeouts in 46 games with the Columbus Clippers.
But is that enough?
Although the Guardians are a strong team, it is painfully clear that they have some serious issues that must be addressed before the MLB trade deadline. If the team is not willing to call up more prospects, another way is to trade them away to get veteran players.
Tim Stebbins of MLB.com pointed out that first-baseman that Carlos Santana is a player competing teams would be interested in dealing for as the deadline draws near.
“If you consider potential trade chips on the big league roster in a sell scenario, however, the 39-year-old has a lot of value. Santana is on a one-year deal and having a strong season at the plate (.740 OPS) and in the field (+3 Outs Above Average),” wrote Stebbins.
While other teams may show interest in Carlos Santana, that does not mean the Guardians are obligated to move him. Along with being a key clubhouse leader for Cleveland’s young core, Santana is also enjoying an efficient season at the plate.
The Guardians should keep the 39-year-old for the rest of the season for the same reasons that another team would want to trade for him.