CLEVELAND, Ohio — The latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast centered on the Guardians’ looming trade deadline and how aggressive the front office should be with a club that has shown flashes of contention but continues to be held back by inconsistent offense. Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes debated whether Cleveland’s surplus of catching depth — including Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges, David Fry and several upper-level prospects — could be its biggest trade asset as teams such as the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox search for help behind the plate. They discussed why Bo Naylor appears to be the most likely catcher to move, whether the Guardians are more likely to make one or two modest additions than a blockbuster deal, and which current major leaguers could lose roster spots if new players arrive before Monday’s deadline. The conversation also examined Slade Cecconi’s recent struggles and whether an opener or bullpen role might better suit him, before previewing this weekend’s series against Arizona, highlighting Kyle Manzardo’s encouraging signs at the plate, Gavin Williams’ dominant run, and the importance of building momentum before the trade deadline.
