In an annual tradition, Quincy will now analyze why the Guardians should trade for Taylor Ward, something I have done for five years running.
You can view our larger trade deadline piece here as we discuss a wider pool of options the Guardians may consider. To make my position clear, I expect the Guardians to make smaller moves, like trading Bo Naylor and getting a castoff/undervalued reliever. But, in the interest of exploring potential larger moves, we are doing a series looking at some of those
bigger names. So far, we have discussed Spencer Steer, Luis Arraez and Shea Langeliers.
Ward has a 120 wRC+ for a Baltimore Orioles team currently three games under .500. Given that Ward is a free agent following the season, one would suspect that if the Orioles don’t make another sustained run in the next week, they’ll be willing to trade Ward.
Is Ward’s current 17% walk-rate sustainable? Probably not. But chances are also good he’ll find his way back to a slugging rate closer to his career .429 vs. his current .362. His bat speed IS down 1 mph and his average exit velo is down about the same amount. However, he’s still 7.4 runs above average against fastballs. There is risk, of course, but I can see betting that Ward will find his way to a more usual power level given that his other plate discipline skills have shown up.
Ward is an average left fielder who would push Kwan to center. Like any right-handed hitter, his home run totals would be affected as his 120 career homers would be 105 with Progressive Field as his home park. It isn’t as pronounced as it could be because Ward is not simply a pulled fly-ball launcher and can use all fields.
Again, I would not touch Angel Genao, Ralphy Velazquez, Braylon Doughty or any major league pieces for Ward. Ward’s career 132 wRC+ against LHP would be very helpful, but the risk that he may be at the beginning of a decline may prevent teams like Cleveland for paying for his services. But, hey, I have long loved Ward so I would happily assume he will win us a World Series should they acquire him
A resulting lineup might look like:
- Kwan CF
- Ward LF
- Jose 3B
- DeLauter RF
- Bazzana 2B
- Hopkins DH
- Manzardo 1B
- Rocchio SS
- Bailey C
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
