WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 16: Curtis Mead #45 of the Washington Nationals celebrates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Nationals Park on June 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Guardians have very few pure right-handed hitters in their organization.
The Cleveland Guardians issue about being far too left-handed is not new.
Opposing managers don’t hesitate to send left-handed pitchers to start or relieve against Cleveland.
The August 3 trade deadline is on the horizon.
Here are seven potential right-handed hitting trade targets for the Guardians.
It remains to be seen if Cleveland wishes to make trades, or if they are willing to part with players others teams request.
Each of the players has the ability to hit for power, or offer blazing speed.
Each of the players would potentially upgrade the roster.
-Cleveland Guardians Target=Curtis Mead-Washington Nationals-1B,3B,2B-6-1, 225 pounds-Age 25
The Australian born Mead has excellent power, and makes very good contact at the plate.
Mead won’t be a free agent until 2031, and is currently making the major league minimum salary.
Mead has hit 14 home runs so far this season, and has driven in 39 runs.
usatoday .com noted: “Acquired as an end-of spring, end-of the roster afterthought, Mead is now the No. 3 hitter for the most prolific offense in baseball.”
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Spencer Steer #7 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after reaching third on a throwing error after hitting a double in the ninth inning during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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-Cleveland Guardians Target=Spencer Steer-Cincinnati Reds-1B, LF, 3B-5-9, 185 pounds, Age 28
Steer is an interesting option, due to his loud bat and position flexibility.
He can hit for power, and drive in runs.
He is currently on a one-year contract, which pays him $4 million. He is still in arbitration years, and won’t be a free agent until 2029, which makes his contract attractive.
There is plenty of strikeout in his game, but the power may be worth the whiffs.
Athletics’ Henry Bolte looks on before batting during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
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-Cleveland Guardians Target=Henry Bolte-Athletics-OF-6-3, 195 pounds-Age 22
sports.yahoo.comhas stated, “Henry Bolte is the fastest player in baseball, and that speed has made him electric to watch…”
Bolte was a 2nd round pick in 2022.
Bolte can flat out fly. He would offer Cleveland blazing, game-altering speed in center field and at the plate.
He is just getting started at the big league level, but he has already shown some pop in his bat, and good bat control.
There is strikeout in his game, but he is young, and can offer some athletic ability, speed, and agility to a team that needs action on the bases.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 20: Casey Schmitt #10 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on June 20, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images)
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-Cleveland Guardians Target=Casey Schmitt-San Francisco Giants-2B,3B,SS-6-0, 215 pounds, Age 27
A second round draft pick, Schmitt has legitimate home run power. He hits well on a Giants team that is challenged to score runs.
Making good contact, Schmitt can barrel the ball, and drive in runs.
Schmitt won’t be a free agent until 2030, giving the team control of his contract.
So far, Schmitt has hit 16 home runs, and has driven in 43 runs.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 28: Heliot Ramos #17 of the San Francisco Giants looks on prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Sunday, June 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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-Cleveland Guardians Target=Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants- OF- 5-11, 235 pounds, Age 26
Heliot Ramos has enough pure power to hit the ball out of left field in Progressive Field.
He has not reached his potential with San Francisco, but this old scout has seen him hit some long fly balls that just fall short in big ball parks.
Ramos is making only $810,000, which is a very affordable contract.
Ramos won’t be a free agent until 2030, so contract control is not an issue.
He is underachieving so far this season, and his upside and potential are great than his 2026 production.
So far this season, Ramos has hit 6 home runs, and has driven in 23 runs in only 179 at-bats.
Ramos seems to be the type of player Cleveland could take a chance on for a minimal trade cost.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 26: Ryan Waldschmidt #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates in the dugout after scoring against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on May 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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-Cleveland Guardians Target=Ryan Waldschmidt-Arizona Diamondbacks-OF-6-0-205 pounds, Age 23
A former 1st round pick, Waldschmidt is highly regarded by Arizona.
Waldschmidt did well in his brief 33 game trial with the parent team this season.
Waldschmidt is regarded the Dbacks top prospect, so it would take quite a deal to pry him away.
Back at Triple-A now, Waldschmidt will take time to acclimate to major league pitching, but he has the pure skills to be a Cleveland upgrade in the outfield.
Waldschmidt could offer emerging power, a fine hit tool, and average defense to a Cleveland team that could use his right-handed bat.
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 18: Warming Bernabel (25) of the Colorado Rockies gets an ice bath from Jordan Beck (27) after his walk-off hit scored Ezequiel Tovar (14) during the ninth inning of the Rockies’ 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver on Monday, August 18, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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-Cleveland Guardians Target=Jordan Beck-Colorado Rockies-OF-6-2, 227 pounds, Age 25
Recently returned to Triple-A, Beck has struggled to keep a roster spot with the parent Rockies.
Beck was a 1st round pick of the Rockies in 2022.
This old scout sees potential in his bat.
Beck hit 27 doubles, five triples, and 15 home runs last year. And yes, some were in hitter-friendly Coors.
Beck won’t be a free agent until 2031, and it is clearly risk taking a flyer on a player who has flashed hitting skills a the big league level.
sports.yahoo.comstated, “Beck’s primary trade appeal is his youth…”
Note: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell would have been on this list, but team owner Arte Moreno said he is not available to be traded.
Each of the seven players above could add value to the Cleveland Guardians.
The price in trade for each player will differ, but the Guardians front office should seriously consider upgrading the roster with right-handed bats.
The seven players noted above may not be available in a trade, and the price of the return(s) may vary. But they have to. try to upgrade the offense.
That said, the Cleveland Guardians badly need right handed hitters in their organization. Now.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
