The Guardians, after making their way to an ALCS last year, have fallen flat on their face in the first half of the 2025 season. Due to the regressions of the team’s dominant bullpen and the offense they trusted enough to not make a significant addition, the team now stands 3 games under .500 at 46-49.
The Tigers ran away with the division early in June at the latest, and although the team still has a chance at the Wild Card, it is not within the best interest for the Guardians brass to stay steadfast on giving innings of playing time to ballplayers like Carlos Santana, Paul Sewald, Lane Thomas, etc.