MLB Insider Names Guardians' Single Biggest Trade Priority Ahead of Deadline

The Cleveland Guardians are in the thick of a battle for the top spot in the AL Central as the 2022 MLB season continues. Only 3.5 games separate the Guardians from the first-place Minnesota Twins, leaving Cleveland looking for some extra help as August's trade deadline approaches.

The Guardians could use some offensive help after averaging just 4.29 runs per game (T-No. 18). MLB insider David Schoenfield sees adding another bat as one of Cleveland's top priorities in the coming week, listing Baltimore Orioles outfielder/first baseman Trey Mancini as a top trade target.

Guardians Trade Rumors

Even though the Guardians' 40-38 record is solid enough to keep them in the playoff hunt, it's hard to imagine them going far without improving their offensive support. Being able to pry a proven producer like Mancini away from the Orioles would definitely address that need.

The former AL Rookie of the Year finalist averaged 26 home runs and 76 RBIs in his previous four campaigns. Mancini is on pace to finish slightly below those totals in 2022, but his eight HRs and 31 RBIs in 72 games are more than enough to light a spark in Cleveland.

On top of his offensive potential, Mancini is also a versatile defender. He's played in both left and right field, as well as first base, this season while spending most of his time as the designated hitter. That type of versatility gives manager Terry Francona numerous lineup combinations down the stretch.

Schoenfield adds that Mancini's prorated $7.5 million contract could cause the Guardians to hesitate, but he has a mutual option for 2023. Either way, he's the type of player that could help Cleveland be a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the 2022 MLB campaign.

Guardians World Series Odds

FanDuel Sportsbook's latest 2022 World Series odds help illustrate how the Guardians require a helpful bat like Mancini's ahead of the deadline. Cleveland currently has +7500 odds to win this year's championship, putting the club in a tie for 16th-best odds across the Majors.

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.