Power Hitting Trade Target For The Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians should inquire about Oakland Athletics outfielder, Brent Rooker.

The Cleveland Guardians' offense has recently awoken from hibernation as they scored 38 runs and recorded 70 hits during their recent six-game home stand. Josh Bell is showing some pop, which is why Cleveland signed him, but the team still needs a little more slugging.

One potential trade target the Guardians could go after is Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker.

Rooker checks the boxes of almost everything the Guardians need in their lineup; another home run threat, an outfielder with pop, and someone who can hit lefties. 

He's currently slugging .579 with an OPS of .881 and has hit 13 home runs this season. For reference, that SLG would be the highest on Cleveland's roster. Jose Ramirez currently leads the Guardians with a slugging percentage of .494. 

Rooker is also slashing .309/.429/.607 with an OPS of 1.036 against southpaws making him an easy trade target for the Guardians. Left-handed pitching has been Cleveland's kryptonite this season (.235 team batting average) and Rooker could help solve that problem.

Brent Rooker - Oakland Athletics (12) pic.twitter.com/E1I2jzfNOw

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) June 7, 2023

A potential platoon of Rooker and Will Brennan in right field, or Chill Will starting in the center, would open up new possibilities for the lineup. 

Plus, the Athletics could be one of MLB's only true sellers before the August 1 deadline. They've currently rattled off seven straight wins, but there is still a looming uncertainty about their future home and they still have the second-worst record in baseball.

Oakland has traded away some of their best talent for prospects in the past including Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, and Chris Bassitt. So it wouldn't be shocking for them to see them do the same here. 

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