The Guardians have spent the offseason not doing much; will they pull off a late-Spring Training trade as they did last year for Nolan Jones?
I would say the general – and sensible – conclusion among Guardians fans is that the team will enter the season with their roster as is, with an eye to improve as needed at the August trade deadline. However, the Guardians did surprise us by acquiring Nolan Jones for Tyler Freeman as Spring Training closed last season. Perhaps they will have an eye to something similar if the right name comes available in the next six weeks.
Conveniently, Jayson Stark of the Athletic interviewed MLB executives to ask for their guesses of which players will be traded this spring. Let’s take a look at the answers execs gave and see which players may or may not interest the Guardians:
High Interest:
Nico Hoerner, 2B/SS, Cubs – Because Hoerner can play an excellent shortstop (and the Cubs have Dansby Swanson and Matt Shaw on hand), trading for Hoerner and his career 120 wRC+ vs. LHP and then immediately attempting to extend him as your shortstop would be a fun, aggressive move that I have no hope of the Guardians making.
Alec Bohm, 1B/3B, Phillies – Bohm would just be a much surer option for 1B/DH partner with Manzardo than David Fry and can play third on Jose’s DH days. But, the Guardians seem set on going with Fry for now.
Yandy Diaz, DH, Rays – I really don’t care about Diaz being DH-only. He remains an elite bat and crushes lefties. He transforms the order immediately and there are few guys out there like that.
James Wood, OF, Nationals – Make no mistake… Wood would cost A LOT for a 23 year-old under control through 2030. But that’s a middle of the order hitter who probably DH’s and replaces Kwan in left when Kwan is traded this offseason and immediately shows us how much we will miss Kwan’s gold glove. A 112/131 wRC+ vs LHP/RHP works for me, though.
Moderate Interest:
Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals – Nolan Jones x2.0 but it works this time? I don’t know…
CJ Abrams, SS, Nationals – I wouls be interested in Abrams in theory, but given his public issue with staying out all night at a casino… it seems a bit untenable given other PR issues the Guardians face.
Nick Pivetta, RHP, Padres – I would love this. Pivetta is under team control through 2028 (unless he opts out) and it’s not an expensive deal. Plus, there seems to be a need for a veteran presence like this on a young staff. But I have trouble seeing the Guardians go outside their top 6 starters.
Jaren Duran, CF, Red Sox or Wilyer Abreu, OF, Red Sox – Duran and Abreu would cost a lot and can’t hit lefties. Would I take either in centerfield here? Absolutely. Will the Guardians acquire either? No.
Jake Cronenworth, Utility, Padres – He upgrades Daniel Schneemann at the plate but may not be able to play SS. Meh.
Matt Shaw, 2B/3B, Cubs – Not sure he is better than any of our up and coming second base options. Maybe?
Low Interest:
Isaac Parades, 1B/3B, Astros – His bat becomes so much less valuable at Progressive Field. Not worth the price.
Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins – I’d like to see the Guardians work with Alcantara but there are questions here and they aren’t going to take on his contract.
Mark Vientos, 1B/3B, Mets – I don’t see a great roster fit here and I am not at all sure he is better than Fry.
N/A – Division targets who aren’t being traded to Cleveland.
Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers
Joe Ryan, RHP, Twins
Kris Bubic, LHP, Royals
Byron Buxton, OF, Twins
Bottom line, I do not expect the Guardians to be involved in trading for any of these players. But, should they be discontent with what they see from Fry, from Brito and from Arias/Rocchio this spring – there are some options!
Read the full article here