What happened: The Cleveland Guardians could pursue Shea Langeliers to bolster their offense ahead of the trade deadline. He remains under team control through the 2028 season. The catcher could shift to a designated hitter role to maximize his value if acquired.
Why it matters: Cleveland recently traded for Patrick Bailey, making a full-time catching role for Langeliers unlikely due to his negative defensive metrics. However, his right-handed bat could provide a significant upgrade akin to Willson Contreras. The Guardians hold a 52-43 record this season and could optimize their lineup by prioritizing a true slugger over a traditional designated hitter.
By the numbers: Langeliers owns a 123 wRC+ and a .359 xwOBA this season, with a career 129 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. He has slugged over .500 in each of the last two seasons, though he carries -30 Defensive Runs Saved and -32 Fielding Runs Value for his career.
What to watch: Cleveland could opt for smaller moves involving Bo Naylor, while the Athletics will command a significant prospect return. The Guardians may also evaluate other targets like Spencer Steer or Luis Arraez as the deadline approaches.