Pitcher gets brutally honest on Guardians before MLB trade deadline

Last season, the Cleveland Guardians finished in first place in the American League Central Division standings, but they haven’t been as consistent so far in 2026.

With the MLB Trade Deadline only days away, the Guardians find themselves at the .500 mark with a 56-56 record through the first 112 games of the season, but could very well be buyers as they look for their second straight Division title.

Just over 48 hours from the Trade Deadline on Monday, Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee maintained his belief that the Guardians are a playoff-calibre baseball team, and the entire clubhouse believes in what they can accomplish.

“Obviously we know we’re a really good baseball team, so obviously – I don’t really know my feelings on it, but I know we’re a playoff baseball team,” Bibee said in the Guardians clubhouse via Natalie Turk on X, formerly known as Twitter. “And whether that means to go for it or stay pat, that’s not my job. But I know that we’re a playoff baseball team in here, and everyone believes it too. So, I think that’s what we believe in this room.”

Tanner was asked about the vibe ahead of the trade deadline. He says “obviously we’re a good baseball team…we’re a playoff team & everyone on this team believes that.” pic.twitter.com/wxC0Awp9A8

— Natalie (@nats_sportschat) August 1, 2026

Despite receiving limited offensive support, Bibee has quietly put together an impressive run for the Guardians, who selected him in the fifth round (156th overall selection) of the 2021 MLB Draft. Across 10 starts since the beginning of June, he has posted a 2.98 ERA over 63⅓ innings while striking out 40 and walking 16 opposition batters.

But the Guardians haven’t given him much run support, having scored just one run or fewer in 12 of his 23 outings this season, leaving Bibee with 11 losses—the most by a Guardians starter through 23 appearances since Zach Plesac in 2022.

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