1 trade Guardians must not make at 2026 MLB trade deadline

Much attention involving the Cleveland Guardians centers on injured star Jose Ramirez, who recently made a positive step in his recovery. But with the 2026 MLB trade deadline looming, here is one trade the Guardians must not make.

Sitting percentage points behind the surprising Chicago White Sox in the AL Central, the Guardians have their sights set on postseason play. They’ve been able to stay in contention for the division title despite the long absence of Ramirez.

But if they’re going to close out the AL Central in the second half, they need to make probably two trades to solidify their pitching and their lineup. But not this trade.

Guardians should not trade for SP Tarik Skubal

Yes, it’s the pie-in-the-sky target that any serious playoff contender needs to consider. And the Guardians can consider it. But then, say no.

The biggest problem has nothing to do with Skubal himself. He’s clearly the best trade target in Major League Baseball.

Of course, it may be a moot point. One MLB insider believes that Skubal’s only likely landing spot is with the Dodgers, according to Get Up! via USA Today.

“If there’s a team that’s going to go get Tarik Skubal and has both the incentive and the ability to do so, it is the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Passan said. “And I know people don’t like hearing that.”

That’s fairly sad because the Dodgers are already the best team in baseball. They have the best record in MLB at 61-36. In a way, it would be nice to see some team, even the Indians, make a deal just to keep the Dodgers from getting him.

However, the reason the Indians should not be involved with Skubal is twofold. First, the Indians have things set up nicely for the future. They have six players listed among the top 100 prospects in baseball.

Leading the way is Ralphy Velazquez, a first baseman expected to arrive in 2027, according to MLB.com.

Also, SS Angel Genao, C Cooper Ingle, RHP Braylon Doughty, OF Jaison Chourio, and OF Juneiker Caceres have spots in the top 100.

This is an organization well-stocked to build a long-term foundation for future success. It doesn’t make sense to send those players elsewhere to have Skubal as a two-month rental pitcher.

Think about it. Skubal would likely cost the Guardians at least two of those players. And if the Guardians traded two gems, and Skubal didn’t lift the Guardians to the World Series, they would lose out in both ways. They wouldn’t make it to the World Series this year, and their hopes of a future berth would be greatly damaged.

It might make more sense if the Guardians had a clear path to the World Series with Skubal in tow this season. But nobody knows what kind of player Ramirez will be when he returns from the hamate-bone injury. And if he’s not his best self, the Guardians aren’t going to make much playoff noise.

What is the best path for the Guardians?

It has been a tough summer so far for the Guardians. They got off to a very strong start this season, but the injury to Ramirez hurt their momentum. And they haven’t fully recovered.

However, they soared into the All-Star by avoiding a Twins’ sweep and then sweeping the previously hot Marlins.

Catcher Austin Hedges said the team is trying to overcome the adversity, according to The Athletic.

“Winning is great,” Hedges said, “because losing sucks, because sucking sucks. There is no glory without sucking. And suffering and overcoming things. We’re being tested right now.”

The Guardians can still make a move.

“The nucleus is already in place with Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter, José Ramírez and a formidable rotation,” Zack Meisel wrote. “Those two tenets would have me primarily targeting players with multiple years of control, and pretty aggressively. If an upgrade or two helps the Guardians in 2026, awesome.

“If not, the core should have this team competing the next few years. Think of this like 2011, when Cleveland surprised a lot of people by trading for Ubaldo Jiménez. That trade didn’t pay dividends until 2013.”

And that’s why the Guardians need to avoid being too aggressive at the trade deadline.

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