Jose Ramirez, Kwan, Clase, Cade Smith Reportedly Untouchable in Guardians Trade Talks

As the Cleveland Guardians look to continue their pre-All-Star hot streak going coming out of the break, they are also willing to entertain trades for virtually everyone on the roster.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, José Ramírez, Steven Kwan, Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith are the only players the Guardians have made untouchable leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

That leaves Cleveland in a rough spot as it looks for solutions to a struggling lineup since those are the four players on the roster who would likely bring back anything of significant value.

Ramírez being off the table isn't a surprise because he has spoken candidly about his love for Cleveland, so much that he signed a team-friendly extension with a full no-trade clause in 2022 that runs through the 2028 season.

Clase has been the most-discussed Guardians player in a potential trade. Teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets have been cited as landing spots if he becomes available, per The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

Even if Clase were to be made available, the cost to acquire him would likely be high because he is only owed $6.4 million next season with $10 million team options in 2027 and 2028.

Smith might even have a higher price tag than Clase because he isn't even arbitration eligible until 2027 and is under team control through 2029.

Kwan, a two-time All-Star, has two more years of team control and is one of only three regular position players with an above-average OPS+ for the Guardians this season (Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo).

If you take these four players off the board, the most intriguing potential trade candidate for the Guardians becomes Shane Bieber. The 2020 AL Cy Young winner made his first rehab start on Tuesday as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

It would seem unlikely Bieber gets moved because his trade value is going to be low coming off the injury and having not pitched in an MLB game since April 2, 2024. He also has a $16 million player option for 2026 that is affordable for a Guardians team that desperately needs rotation help if it wants to be a playoff contender next season.

Carlos Santana, Lane Thomas (currently on the injured list) and Austin Hedges are the only players on the roster in the final season of their contracts. None of them would likely bring back a significant return.

Any move the Guardians might make prior to the trade deadline has to be focused on improving the lineup. They rank 20th in home runs, 26th in runs scored, tied for 28th in on-base percentage and 28th in slugging percentage this season.

Cleveland (47-49) ended the first half winning six of seven games after a 10-game losing streak. The reigning AL Central champs are 4.5 games out of the final wild card spot.