Guardians Roundtable: Outfield Trade Options

Bode: The dream scenario is any of the players that Meisel has labeled as the Golden Geese given that they are star-level players with years of control. The issue, of course, is that those teams aren’t likely to part with them because, well, they are star-level players with years of control. Think of Joey Gallo. The Rangers star was in trade rumors constantly year-over-year-over-year but the team didn’t trade him until he had just over a year left of control. Teams don’t tend to trade their really good players until they are closer to the expiration date. So, I cannot come up with a logical scenario that doesn’t include something like us giving up Daniel Espino (which I don’t think the organization would do).

Gerbs: Out of these three, I think my dream scenario would be Bryan Reynolds, and that would cost some of the big names that fans know, and even then, Reynolds isn’t the prototypical bat that most fans would be happy with acquiring because he isn’t on HR leader lists, but he is one of the better hitters in the game currently.

Mitch: I’ll just use this space to comment on the “golden geese” section of Zack’s article. While I do agree the trio of Reynolds, Marte, and Mullins played like superstars in 2021 (and the former two in 2019 as well), there’s massive risk associated with each of them. Marte and Reynolds are both highly BAbip dependent, and Mullins has only one positive season on his track record. While trading for one of these guys would be fun, this organization absolutely cannot afford to let go of serious draft capital for a high variance player. That said, Mullins would probably require the least to acquire, and while his power numbers were aided by Camden Yards’ short right field, Progressive Field’s dimensions should help him too.

Bode: The likeliest acquistion is an outfielder with at least two years of club control who is not a true star player. Someone solid but not spectacular. Of those on the list, Austin Meadows is a good example of this type of player. It would take multiple of our decent-to-good prospects to pry him away, but it’s far easier to see the Rays taking back a combination of say Konnor Pilkington, Jose Tena, and Nolan Jones.

Gerbs: Likeliest, I see a Nimmo or Mancini, someone lower production wise that Cleveland can get cheaply, or someone with a year or so left that would garner only a single prospect. I’d love to see Meadows for Plinkington/Jones as Bode mentions because he is near the top of his game right now, but not sure if Cleveland is willing to pay that price.

Mitch:  I’m not sure there’s a choice that’s particularly likely, because ultimately, it’s going to be about value. With whom is the front office willing to part, and whom do other front offices value more than Cleveland’s does? I guess the most likely scenario by that logic is, who can the front office most likely pull a fast one on, and the answer to that is the Mets. Or Angels. But more likely the Mets.

Bode: The idea of stealing Jo Adell from the Angels and turning him into the player that everyone thought he would become two years ago is intriguing. He is still only entering his age 23 year, but he’s been involved in parts of the last 2 seasons. Sure, Adell hasn’t thrived early like some prospects, but that’s why he is potentially obtainable. No idea if Los Angeles of Anaheim formerly called California and residing in Orange County would consider moving him, but he’s my favorite potential outcome (acquire cheap, see him blow up as a star).

Gerbs: My favorite player of this list is Reynolds, but a Jeff McNeil deal, with all the positions his is able to fill and play and his bat-to-ball ability would be a pretty great option as well. We have that bevy of middle infield guys coming, so McNeil at 2B is less likely for Cleveland than other places, but the mixing and matching would be fantastic in late game scenarios.

Mitch: A player whom Meisel dismissed out of hand but I like is Ramon Laureano. He’s on a team that’s pulling a Rachel Phelps and trying to move all of its assets in order to relocate to greener pastures. Yes, he plays center field, but I’m imagining the amount of ground Straw and Laureano could cover together, and then combine it with the latter’s incredible cannon, and you have all the makings of an elite defensive outfield that doesn’t sacrifice anything offensively.

Bode: The organization isn’t likely to acquire any player by giving up prospect capital if they have just a year left of control. Scratch off guys like Mitch Haniger.

Gerbs: With the expected cost of Whit (dealing in the division) and his advanced age/lack of control, I’d be out for giving up anything of real value for him. It’s a nice idea, but probs not gonna happen.

Mitch: I’m most against acquiring Kepler, mainly because I don’t like watching routine flyouts, and nobody in baseball hits into more.